Libyan government forces in trucks disguised with rebel flags have shelled opposition positions near the strategic eastern oil town of Brega, killing 13 rebel fighters and wounding dozens more, officials said. Rebel forces have been pushing to seize the front-line town which is home to an oil refinery and terminal, for nearly a week, but they say minefields planted by Gaddafi's forces have slowed the advance. They took positions 10km east of the oil port, working to clear the mines so they can move forward. "Maybe within three or four days we will solve this problem of mines and we will be in Brega," said rebel spokesman Ahmed Bani. Al Jazeera's Anita McNaught reporting from the area says rebels thought their position was betrayed by spies and traitors within their camp but they were certain those disloyal to the cause would be rooted out. The rebels are fighting in a residential area on the town's eastern side and control about one-third of the town, another rebel spokesman said.
Heavy casualtiesA doctor at the hospital in the nearby city of Ajdabiya said a lot of severely injured fighters were taken there on Tuesday, most of them with head and chest injuries caused by gunshots and explosions. "The numbers of causalities exceeded the numbers of beds available," said Hiba Shasha.
Another doctor at the same hospital said eight rebels were killed and dozens wounded on Tuesday, raising the total to at least 34 rebels killed in five days of fighting.
#libya Libyan Forces, Rebels Continue Battle for Brega - Voice of America (blog) http://bit.ly/rpxQ9I
DTN Libya News: Libyan rebels pushed back from Brega: Rebels tackle host of land mines outside Brega after comin...http://aje.me/qySguf
Libyan rebels pushed back from Brega: Rebels tackle host of land mines outside Brega after c... http://aje.me/o86dBj #Libya #NewsinLibya
