everywhere, and attacking houses source: AFP
MARCH 5, Rebel city near capital repels government attacks * At least 30 dead during fighting on Saturday -doctor * Gaddafi forces stormed houses, killed civilians -residents * Rebels parade pro-Gaddafi prisoners TRIPOLI, March 5 (Reuters) - Rebels holding the Libyan city of Zawiyah said they repelled two attacks on Saturday by forces loyal to leader Muammar Gaddafi using tanks and artillery In a second day of fierce fighting for control of the coastal town, 50 km (30 miles) west of Tripoli, government forces retreated At least 70 dead, 300 wounded in ongoing battle between rebels and Gadhafi loyalists in Zawiya, Libya - Source AGI
to the outskirts early in the day but later mounted a counter-offensive.Rebels said both attacks were repelled. The city bore the signs of heavy fighting, with one building completely burnt and smouldering rubble littering the centre.Other buildings around the main square, the stronghold of rebel resistance, were riddled with holes from large-calibre weapons. The atmosphere was tense and the situation appeared fluid as rebels braced for more attacks "After the morning attack they attacked again. They entered from the west and started shooting rockets at buildings in the square," rebel spokesman Youssef Shagan said. "We are in a good position. ... They will attack again at night, we think." One resident, Ali, said he could still hear sporadic exchange of fire. "The boys are still in the square. People are locking themselves at home, they fear another attack tonight," he told Reuters by phone from the town. "We fear a massacre. A doctor in Zawiyah said at least 30 people, mostly civilians, had been killed during fighting in the day, bringing to at least 60 the death toll from two days of battles.In Tripoli, deputy foreign minister Khaled Kaim told reporters Zawiyah was "quiet and peaceful" late on Saturday. "Regarding the situation on the ground, in Zawiyah the situation is quiet and peaceful this evening. We hope by tomorrow morning life will be back to normal," he said. Yousef Shakir, political advisor at the ministry of foreign affairs, said: "(Zawiyah) is 99 percent under control today." GRAVES
