Libyan rebels take western town after battle

Rebel fighters seize western town of Bir al-Ghanam in weekend attack, opening roads to Tripoli and the coast.

Screengrab from Zeina Khodr Bir al-Ghanam pkg

Opposition fighters in Libya’s west have battled for control of a small town that sits astride a road to both Tripoli and the coast.

Despite back-and-forth fighting that saw regime troops bombard newly gained rebel positions with Grad rockets, rebels reportedly held the town by Monday morning.

From Bir al-Ghanam, rebels can push north to the coastal town of Serman, cutting off a supply route between the Tunisian border and the capital, or they can go straight to Tripoli, around 80km away.

Troops loyal to Muammar Gaddafi are likely to put up a stiff fight as rebels get closer to the capital, but the opposition says residents of Serman are waiting for their arrival and ready to rise up.

Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr reports from near Bir al-Ghanam.

Source: Al Jazeera