Fierce exchanges between rebel fighters and the Gaddafi government continued in Libya yesterday, with a key town changing hands in 24 hours.
Rebels have told the Reuters news agency that they had retaken the village of Al-Qawalish in western Libya from forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi.
The village fell to pro-Gaddafi forces earlier on Wednesday, but the rebels said they had staged a successful counter-attack to seize it back, rebel spokesman Abdurahman Alzintani told Reuters.
The village lies about 100 km (60 miles) south of Tripoli and is key to rebel plans to advance on Gaddafi’s stronghold in the capital.
Meanwhile, both Italy and France have called on the sides to reach a political deal, with news of Gaddafi’s apparent willingness to stand down and pressure mounting in some NATO countries over the length and cost of the campaign.
