Sunday, April 3, 2011
Heavy fighting between Libyan rebels and forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi continued on Sunday around the strategic oil town of Brega, with reports of the rebels beating a fresh retreat in the see-saw battle.
But in the rebel capital of Benghazi in the east, the anti-Gaddafi council named a “crisis team”, including former Libyan interior minister Younes al Abidi as the armed forces chief of staff, to try to run parts of the country it holds.
The team headed by Mahmoud Jebril will take its direction from the transitional national council, which remains the top rebel political body, council spokesman Hafiz Ghoga said.
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Heavy fighting is taking place in Ivory Coast’s main city, Abidjan, for a third day as rival forces battle for power.
Internationally-recognised President Alassane Ouattara’s fighters fought for control of key areas held by troops loyal to incumbent Laurent Gbagbo.
Mr Gbagbo’s forces made a call to arms after apparently retaking state TV.
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Thursday, March 31, 2011
Fighters supporting Ivory Coast’s internationally recognized leader seized control of the country’s administrative capital on Wednesday, marking a symbolic victory after months of political chaos sparked when the incumbent refused to step down after the election.
The fall of Yamoussoukro caps a dramatic advance on the city from multiple directions this week, but many believe a final bloody battle over the presidency is now destined for the commercial capital of Abidjan, only 143 miles away.
Capt. Leon Alla, a defense spokesman for the internationally backed leader Alassane Ouattara, confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday that “the town of Yamoussoukro is in the hands of the Republican Forces.”
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