Fighting in Western Libya continues

Heavy clashes between opposition rebels and national leader Muammar Gaddafi's army, have broken out in Libya's Western Mountains. Saturday's escalation comes as insurgents look to push toward Tripoli.

At least 10 rebels were reportedly killed, with about 170 wounded, during an attack on the eastern oil port of Brega. Meanwhile, sustained gunfire and volleys of artillery could be heard in the village of Bir Ayad, 15 kilometers south of the frontline in nearby Bir Ghanam.

Opposition fighters hold the high ground outside that town, their closest position to the country's capital, which sits just 80 kilometers away. Rebels have made progress in the Western Mountains in recent weeks, after repelling multiple assaults by Gaddafi's military.

Their next goal is Garyan, a town that controls the highway running south from Tripoli. The insurgents are vowing to force the administration's troops to withdraw.

Fathi Zintani, Rebel Commander from Zintan, said, "Of course these rebel fighters from Zintan forced the Gaddafi loyalists to withdraw. They are now 4 kilometers away, and the rebels are still going after them. And we call upon the Libyan youth who are loyal to Gaddafi, telling them that his regime has collapsed, and he has lost his legitimacy, and he is finished. We hope they will stop the fight, and stop following him. Anybody who wants to join the rebels is better than the forces loyal to Gaddafi."