Libyan soldiers fought with rebels on Saturday after rebel groups attempted to launch a pre-emptive strike against the government forces. The Libyan government issued a 2 week deadline on March 12th after which time rebels would have to leave Libya’s occupied eastern ports or face military action.
Heavy gunfire and anti-aircraft guns could be heard in the town of Ajdabiya, on Saturday as rebels clashed with government troops.
The fighting comes after months of entrenched stalemate and posturing between the two sides that has seen little progress in relations. Libya’s eastern ports have remained blocked by the rebels, which has crippled Libya’s oil production and decimated its economy.
Last Sunday, the US intervened by storming the Morning Glory oil tanker, and returning it to the Libyan government after it had threatened to set a dangerous precedent by loading oil from rebel controlled ports.
State news agency LANA only ran a brief story late on Friday, with the army’s chief of staff warning citizens not to approach any military installation.
The weak government in Tripoli is unable to control dozens of militias who helped oust former leader Muammar Gaddafi but then kept their weapons to grab power and oil.
Analysts say the nascent army, sill in training, will struggle against rebel forces which gained much experience in helping to overthrow Gaddafi during the NATO-backed uprising.
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