"They killed my daughter,"

Mercenaries opened fire on anyone 

who dared go outdoors, even on children

They killed many people. They killed my daughter," the doctor said. At least 12 people died in Zawiyah, with 60 injured. "

 

Anti-government forces prepare to push towards the capital, Tripoli.

But the violence, which has killed up to 3000 people in the past two weeks, was overwhelmed by spin last night. The rebels denied government claims that dictator Muammar Gaddafi had won back key towns and cities such as Tobruk, Misratah and Ras Lanuf.

Heavy machine-gun fire erupted in Tripoli, including the Bab al-Aziziya military camp, the neighbourhood of Colonel Gaddafi's residence, as hundreds of his supporters poured into the streets in celebration. It was unclear whether Colonel Gaddafi was in Tripoli. Libyan authorities said the heavy gunfire that began around 5.30am local time was celebratory, claiming government forces had retaken Ras Lanuf, in central Libya. Residents of the oil port said the opposition remained in control. However, a warplane flew over Ras Lanuf last night, triggering anti-aircraft fire."We can easily enter Sirte, but we want to avoid the loss of life," said Namil Mashash, a rebel leader in Ras Lanuf. "That is why we are negotiating to go to Sirte without fighting and then continue on to Tripoli."Ibrahim al-Atrashi, a soldier who defected, said 7000 men had moved from Benghazi west towards the front in the previous three days.

This would set up a major confrontation with the bulk of Colonel Gaddafi's forces.Fighting intensified over the weekend as forces loyal to Colonel Gaddafi sought to retake Zawiyah, less than 50km west of Tripoli.Tanks surrounded the city and pounded it for much of the weekend. Zawiyah has become the most important battle of the Libyan uprising. The Gaddafi forces see it as a possible launching pad for an assault on Tripoli."Gaddafi has no sanctity for hospitals or residential areas or anything," an opposition spokesman told The Australian. A doctor in Zawiyah accused Gaddafi loyalists of committing a massacre by raining tank shells and machine-gun fire on residents. "This was a real massacre. The situation is catastrophic. They killed many people. They killed my daughter," the doctor said. At least 12 people died in Zawiyah, with 60 injured. "What happened this morning is horrible. The mercenaries opened fire on anyone who dared go outdoors, even on children," the doctor said.

At least 17 rebels were killed in an explosion at a military depot in Al Rajma, near Benghazi. The air force had been attempting to bomb the facility for several days.

Meanwhile, Libya's former minister for justice, Mustafa Abdel Jalil, who resigned in protest at Colonel Gaddafi's attacks on protesters, yesterday unveiled an "interim national council".

Although it will have 30 members, only nine were prepared to be identified yesterday - an indication of the fear that still operates in Libya. The national council - the embryonic provisional government - made its proclamation at a meeting in Benghazi, the rebel stronghold in the east of the north African country.

"The council declares it is the sole representative all over Libya," Mr Abdel Jalil said.

Colonel Gaddafi's government asked the Arab League to reverse a February 22 decision suspending it from the organisation's meetings, Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaaim said.

Colonel Gaddafi told the French weekly Le Journal du Dimanche he wanted the UN or the African Union to probe the unrest and promised, "We will let this panel work unhampered."