Al-Hayat

Assisted by the coalition air strikes, the forces of the Libyan opposition claimed victory on Saturday over the forces of Muammar Gaddafi to wrest control of a city strategically located on the east, while a battle raged in western tanks resumed loyal Misrata bombing.

Loyalist forces withdrew Saturday after several days of heavy fighting in which the opposition Ajdabiya reveled in the victory the biggest in the city as a gateway to the oil fields in Libya and a large station on the way to the rebel stronghold Benghazi.

Ajdabiya is now “100 percent” in the hands of the opposition, “said Abu Almulla Shame Eldin, a spokesman for the Libyan opposition in the council confirmed.

“With regard to Gaddafi’s military, many of them have sold, others retreated back and continued struggle of the moment,” he said.

Ajdabiya victory is seen as an important step forward for the Libyan opposition, which will always fight for the capital. It ‘also served as evidence of the effects of coalition air strikes.

Overnight, fighter jets bombed the international tanks that were removed Libya from the gates to the west and north of the city for days, the spokesman of the opposition al-Jalal Gallali said.

In the north entrance, the damaged tanks scattered across the rolling desert. The buildings around the city had come riddled with bullets. rebel troops combed the streets of the city Saturday, hunting for any remaining loyal Gaddafi, said al-Gallali.

Another story took place in the besieged city of Misrata, just two hours east of Tripoli, where some of the heaviest fighting took place since protests erupted last month in Libya.

At least 20 people were injured in Misrata Saturday, victims of snipers loyal to Qadhafi, a doctor at the main hospital told CNN. He said seven people were killed Friday and 70 others were injured in the violence.

Gaddafi tanks resumed bombing Measured on Saturday, a witness told CNN. The opposition, armed only with light weapons, has sought to counter the attack and casualties mounting, the witness said.

Coalition aircraft flew 164 trips Friday and coalition leaders have reported damage to ground forces Gaddafi. But he warned, Gadhafi reserves the right to reinforce the units.

The airstrikes provided coverage for the rebels to promote against Ajdabiya and several tanks were removed Gahdafi.

The leader of the National Coalition argued that their task was to monitor the no-fly zones and to protect civilians.

“When we see the regime’s forces of attacking civilians, will do everything possible to stop these attacks,” said General Carter Ham, commander of U.S. Africa Command.

But the Libyan government spokesman Ibrahim Mussa condemned the attacks on the coalition.

“It is immoral, illegal, and it has not been approved by the Council (UN) security,” he told reporters in Tripoli.

Libyan state television reported March 15 that “Ajdabiya is cleared of terrorists and mercenaries in connection with al-Qaeda,” and later said of Gadhafi troops were in control of the city.

Opposition leaders deny this claim, saying that government forces have taken control of some entrances to the city.

Outside the city, displaced residents who fled the violence-filled camping all over the field.

“We drove around and were landing around us. Rockets were hitting our roof,” said Hussein Othman. “We saw bodies on the road, but nobody can bury them. Even though the ambulances were shot.”

The families said they did not want to leave the area, clings to the hope of a rebel victory.

Ajdabiya is one of the Libyan cities and towns in which the coalition military jets pounded targets Gadhafi in its aim to protect civilians.

Libyan state television reported Saturday that the “air attack by the enemy” had struck military posts in Tarhunah, about 40 miles (66 kilometers) from the capital.

Friday, the government together with international journalists on the outskirts of Tripoli to see the damage first-hand side.

Gaddafi was quick to put the word on the collateral damage from coalition airstrikes. Libyan Health Ministry official Khaled Omar said Friday that 114 people were killed during the campaign of the coalition, but he did not say whether they were civilians.

On a farm outside of Tripoli, was the missile fragments scattered around a palm plantation and shrapnel had peppered the walls of one of the farm buildings still standing. But journalists found no evidence of civilian casualties.

In Tripoli, journalists from CNN are limited to package tours organized by the government, the Libyan authorities to prevent independent movement of international journalists.

Along the way, journalists saw evidence of other damage to the coalition strikes, and signs of troops are fighting as Gaddafi back.Two military bases, which was bombed on Friday, still smoking. anti-aircraft guns buried in the bunker down the road. Small missiles hidden in the trees.

NATO this weekend is expected to take control of the UN-mandated no-fly zone and U.S. to finalize the procedures to protect civilians.