Revolutionaries seize new Libyan town

Libyan revolutionary forces have reportedly made fresh gains against the regime forces in the east and west of the North African country.

Revolutionary fighters have forced regime troops into retreat from the western town of Kikla about 150 kilometers southwest of the capital, Reuters reported on Wednesday.

The push to Kikla came following weeks of deadlock in clashes between the rival forces. The anti-regime forces have set up defensive positions in Kikla in case of a counterattack.

In the east, the revolutionaries have launched more attacks against forces loyal to Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi near the oil town of Brega.

Meanwhile, NATO has resumed bombing of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, with strikes hitting east of the city.

Libyan state TV says the bombings struck military and civilian targets in the populous neighborhood of Firnag, leaving casualties behind.

On Tuesday, South African President Jacob Zuma, who is the African Union’s (AU) mediator for resolving the Libyan crisis, criticized NATO for undermining the bloc’s efforts to resolve the issue diplomatically.

Zuma accused NATO of taking advantage of UN Resolution 1973, which authorized the enforcement of a no-fly zone over Libya, to implement a plot to effect regime change in Libya.

Since the revolution against Gaddafi’s regime began in mid-February, tens of thousands have been killed and injured in clashes between Libyan revolutionaries and pro-Gaddafi forces.

Many civilians have also reportedly been killed since the Western coalition unleashed a major air campaign against Libyan regime forces on March 19 under a UN mandate namely to “protect the Libyan population.”