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| Africa North |
| Qadaffy forces try, fail to retake Zawiyah |
| 2011-03-05 |
| [Al Jazeera] At least 30 civilians have been killed after security forces loyal to Muammar Qadaffy, the Libyan leader, attempted to retake the rebel-held town of Az Zawiyah, near the capital Tripoli, that has for days been defying his rule, witnesses have said. The rebellion in Az Zawiyah - the closest rebel-held territory to the capital and also the site of an oil refinery - has been an embarassment to the Libyan authorities who are trying to show they control at least the west of the country. In Az Zawiyah, Mohamed, a resident of the town, told the Rooters news agency that "dozens were killed" and more maimed in violence there. "We have counted 30 dead civilians. The hospital was full. They could not find space for the casualties." Another resident, Mohamed Nusrat, told Al Jizz: "Qadaffy forces tried to prohibit us from entering the middle square of Az Zawiyah and join the gathering there. They attacked us with machine guns and heavy weapons." "The opposition movement is now in control of most Az Zawiyah, except for the oil refinery and some outside entrances which are still being guarded by Qadaffy forces." |
| Posted by:Fred |