REUTERS - The cons-offensive Libyan forces to take over the city fell three weeks ago at the hands of insurgents hostile to the regime of Muammar Gaddafi continued Thursday as the West is still hesitating on how to support them.
The head of U.S. intelligence, James Clapper, has predicted that the forces Gaddafi, the better equipped than the rebels, would eventually prevail.Colonel Gaddafi is ready for a long struggle, he said, and nothing suggests that he relinquish power.
Saif al Islam Gaddafi's son, has confirmed that the time had come to launch a full military offensive against insurgents and negotiations with them were out of question.
France became the first Western power to recognize the National Council of Libya (NOC) in Benghazi proclaimed by the insurgents.London followed a similar line, calling the NOC a "valid interlocutor" with which he wished
"Working closely".
But EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels, even if they have reaffirmed their desire to see Qaddafi from power, appeared divided on this issue.
The representative of European diplomacy, Catherine Ashton, said that one should not rush "of matter in the unilateral recognition of certain groups."
"From our perspective, any recognition should be conducted by the Arab League and discussed at the UN.This is not to be a unilateral decision, "said his spokesman.
Tanks, airplanes, ships bombard Ras Lanuf
Catherine Ashton, who attended a simultaneous meeting of defense ministers of NATO in the Belgian capital, also argues that any European initiative on
establishing a no-fly zone in Libya should be taken in close coordination with the UN and the Arab League.
The secretary general of NATO, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said any military operation, including the establishment of such a zone should meet three criteria: the need
demonstrable intervention, a clear mandate and support in the region.
The EU summit to be held Friday, still in Brussels, France would propose a strategic action plan to stop the murderous repression of the uprising in Libya, said one of the emissaries of the NLC received in the morning by the
President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Field, east of Tripoli, tanks, aircraft and ships bombed the Libyan insurgent positions in Ras Lanuf, which houses a major oil terminal, has reported
a rebel, citing several deaths.
The official TV announced that insurgents had been driven out of port and airport Es Sider, another oil terminal, 40 km west of Ras Lanuf.
Insurgents have also reported an airstrike on Mars el Brega, a third oil terminal, located 90 km east of Ras Lanuf, suggesting that the loyalists have not
only stopped the progression of anti-Gaddafi westward but regained ground towards their eastern strongholds.
Zaouïah surrounded on all sides
Even if the fighting around the oil terminals in the Gulf of Sirte rage, there is no indication that Gadhafi forces seeking to destroy their facilities.But oil prices nonetheless continue to soar.
The Libyan authorities repress the tanker ports because of the depletion of oil deposits due to supply disruptions because of fighting.
To the west, the loyalist forces encircled the town devastated Zaouiah, about fifty kilometers from the capital, where insurgents continue to resist despite the
deadly fighting in recent days.
"The government forces surround Zaouïah everywhere. We do not know who controls the center. It changes all the time.Battles are fought street by street, "reported an exile who has been in contact with a relative in
suburbs of the city.
The insurgents, carried far by the hope that they could enter their lead in Tripoli from their stronghold in Benghazi, now admit their difficulties in
holding their own against an opponent with a superior firepower.
The deadly weapons of Gaddafi
"Gadhafi could prevail. With planes, tanks, mortars and rockets. It would be nice that there is a no-fly zone," said an insurgent.
The U.S. Department of Defense said examine "a range" of military options, including such a zone.U.S. General Raymond Odierno said that in case of international consensus, the establishment of this zone would only take 48 hours.
But, noting, too, the need for a green light from the international community, Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton has ruled out any unilateral action by Washington, which it says could have "unpredictable consequences".
She also expressed the concern of the United States to the possible possession of chemical weapons by the Gaddafi regime, and other "things dreaded" it might have in his arsenal.
In Geneva, the Committee inernational of the Red Cross said that Libya was plunging into a civil war with mounting casualties.
