Gaddafi forces push back rebels in East: AFP

Mar 29, 2011 |

Nofilia

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Forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammer Gaddafi on Tuesday pushed back rebels in east Libya, pinning them down in Nofilia 100 kilometres (62 miles) from Sirte, AFP correspondents said.

Sirte is Gaddafi's hometown and is the next big target of the rebels seeking to overthrow the ruler in their push westwards towards Tripoli.

The rebels were on Monday pummeled by loyalist forces at the village of Harawa, 60 kilometres from Sirte, with Gaddafi's troops hammering them further on Tuesday and pushing them back to Nofilia.

Many rebels told AFP they would wait 'for Sarkozy planes to strike' before advancing on Sirte - a reference to warplanes from the French government of President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Western strikes bolstered the rebels, allowing them to overrun the strategic town of Ajdabiya on Saturday.

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