Battles rage in Libya

Government opponents in the Libyan city of Az Zawiyah have repulsed an attempt by forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi to retake the city close to the capital, Tripoli, in six hours of fighting overnight, witnesses say.

Tuesday’s claims follow reports that government forces attacked the city from the west and the east, and that fighter jets bombed an ammunition depot in the eastern city of Ajdabiya.

There was no word on casualties in Az Zawiyah, which is 50km west of Tripoli.

“We will not give up Az Zawiyah at any price,” one witness said.

“We know it is significant strategically. They will fight to get it, but we will not give up. We managed to defeat them because our spirits are high and their spirits are zero.”

The rebels, who include army forces who defected from the government, are armed with tanks, machine guns and anti-aircraft guns.

They fought back pro-Gaddafi troops who attacked from six directions using the same weapons.

Battle for Az Zawiyah

A resident of Az Zawiyah told the Associated Press news agency by telephone on Monday that fighting started in the evening and intensified after dusk when troops loyal to Gaddafi attacked the city.

“We were able to repulse the attack. We damaged a tank with an RPG. The mercenaries fled after that,” said the resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of government reprisals.

He said Gaddafi called the city’s influential tribal leader, Mohammed al-Maktouf, and warned him that if the rebels did not leave the main square by early Tuesday, they would be hit by fighter jets.

“We are expecting a major battle,” the resident said, adding that the rebels killed eight soldiers and mercenaries on Monday.

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Another resident of Az Zawiyah said he heard gunfire well into the night on the outskirts of town.

AP said its reporter saw a large, pro-Gaddafi force massed on the western edge of Az Zawiyah.

There were also about a dozen armoured vehicles along with tanks and jeeps mounted with anti-aircraft guns.

An officer said the troops were from the elite Khamis Brigade, named after one of Gaddafi’s sons who commands it and said by US diplomats to be the best-equipped force in Libya.

Gaddafi, Libya’s ruler of 41 years, has already lost control of the eastern half of the country since protests demanding his resignation began two weeks ago. He still holds Tripoli.

Tony Birtley, Al Jazeera’s correspondent in the city of Benghazi, which is under control of anti-government forces, said on Tuesday that while they are hoping for a peaceful outcome, they are also preparing for a military one.

“While the threat of an attack along the ground by Gaddafi forces is receding perhaps by the day, in the air there is still a possibility that Gaddafi could unleash what remains of his air force in a final act of retribution,” he said.

The fighting in Az Zawiyah came amid mounting international pressure on Gaddafi – already under sanctions over his handling of the turmoil – to end a crackdown on opponents pushing for his ouster.

The US, meanwhile, said it was moving warships and air forces closer to Libya and France said it would fly aid to the opposition-controlled eastern half of the country.

But Abdel Fattah Younes, Libya’s former interior minister who has defected to the opposition, told Al Jazeera that welcoming “foreign troops” was “out of the question” although “touching down in Libya is acceptable only in the case of emergency”.

“For example if any pilot was forced to eject, he will be hosted and protected by us,” he said.

Humanitarian concerns

With government forces and rebels clashing in different parts of Libya, the security situation in and around Tripoli has made it too dangerous for international aid agencies to assess the need for medicine, food and other supplies there, according to the UN.

“The major concerns are Tripoli and the west where access is extremely difficult because of the security situation,” Valerie Amos, the UN humanitarian chief, told Al Jazeera on Monday.

“There are reports that between 600 and 2,000 people have already been killed in Tripoli. We don’t know the absolute accurate number because we haven’t got people there who are able to do assessments … we’ve seen some horrific pictures of what is happening and we really want to be able to go in to help people in the time of need.”

Amos also called on countries neighbouring Libya to keep their borders open so refugees can continue to flee.

According to Tunisian authorities, at least 70,000 people have fled to Tunisia since February 20. The UN has erected tents for refugees and says there is concern about water and sanitation.

The Egyptian government said about 70,000 people had crossed into Egypt, most of them Egyptians.

Gaddafi insists his people “love him”, while UN says 40,000 people have fled to Tunisia

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has also called for immediate and safe access to western Libya, saying the situation is far too unstable and insecure.

“Health and aid workers must be allowed to do their jobs safely. Patients must not be attacked, and ambulances and hospitals must not be misused. It’s a matter of life and death,” Yves Daccord, the ICRC director-general, said.

ICRC teams entered the eastern side of the country including Benghazi over the weekend, and are now supporting local doctors with medical care. Two thousand people were wounded there, according to the agency.

A similar ICRC team including surgeons and supplies was waiting on the western border in Tunisia.

Thousands of foreigners have been evacuated from Libya since the unrest began on February 17, with ships and aircraft sent by countries including China  India, the US, Turkey and many other European countries.

Anti-government protests started in the country’s second-largest city of Benghazi, and have since spread to the west of the country.

Gaddafi, in power since 1969, remains defiant and has scoffed at calls to step down, saying foreign powers, including al-Qaeda and drug addicts, were behind the unrest.