Libya: Rebels flee Ras Lanuf, signaling a shift in momentum

RAS LANUF, Libya — Loyalists of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi forced rebel fighters to flee the strategic oil town of Ras Lanuf Thursday after being assaulted by land, sea and air.

The city mosque was hit by an air strike, and the hospital was evacuated in the afternoon after several attacks nearby. Commercial and military ships hit the town with artillery and rockets, adding a third dimension to the usual mix of ground and air attacks that have become a part of the daily menu of fighting along the east-west highway between Bin Jawwad and Ras Lanuf.

At least one air strike was aimed at a rebel checkpoint on the edge of Brega, about a hundred miles east of Ras Lanuf, suggesting that the pro-Gaddafi forces may be ranging further east.

It remains unclear whether Ras Lanuf has officially been overtaken by pro-Gaddafi forces or whether it is “a no man’s land” for the time being, as some have estimated.

At the Red Crescent Hospital outside of Brega, which was receiving the dead and wounded from today’s battle following the closure of the Ras Lanuf hospital, four were reported dead and approximately 20 wounded.

The battle for control over Libya has pitted a well-armed, organized and often ruthless military against a group of protesters turned rebels.

“I’m not a soldier, I’m a student,” said a rebel fighter in Ras Lanuf, brandishing his gun, his eyes intense and his voice quivering. He had just retreated from the east-west highway after a heavy assault by government troops. “I’ve never held a gun before and Gaddafi he is killing us from the sea, from the air.”

The attack on Ras Lanuf represents a heavy blow to Libya's rebel forces that had been charging west across the country to "liberate" the capital Tripoli from Gaddafi's four-decade rule.

When the rebels captured Ras Lanuf a week ago, it was seen as a major victory for the opposition. Now, it appears the tide may be turning.

Gaddafi's son Seif al-Islam vowed Thursday to retake the eastern half of the country, which has been held by rebel forces for the past few weeks, AP reports.

He told a crowd of supporters in Tripoli: "I have two words to our brothers and sisters in the east: We're coming."

Gaddafi troops earlier claimed victory over Zawiya, a town about 30 miles from Tripoli that had been held by rebels.

The town was the scene of intense fighting on Wednesday, with the town’s central square reportedly changing hands several times as rebels tried to hold off an onslaught by Gaddafi tanks and snipers. By the end of the day, government forces claimed to have gained the upper hand.

Meanwhile, the White House announced Thursday a five-point program of steps to isolate Gaddafi and force him to step down, the New York Times reports. The program includes a partial embrace of the rebels and threats to prosecute Gaddafi loyalists who commit atrocities.

The announcement by the White House comes as it tries to distance itself from remarks made by the U.S. national intelligence director that Gaddafi's regime would "prevail" over the long run.

"Gaddafi is in this for the long haul," James Clapper said, as reported in the BBC. "I don't think he has any intention, despite some of the press speculation to the contrary, of leaving. From all evidence that we have … he appears to be hunkering down for the duration."

American and other intelligence officials claim that Gaddafi has tens of billions of dollars in cash hidden away in Tripoli that will enable him to continue his fight against the rebels, the New York Times reports.

The money, which is controlled by Gaddafi, enables the leader to pay his troops, mercenaries and political supporters as the uprising continues for a third week.

"The huge cash reserves have, at least temporarily, diminished the impact of economic sanctions on Colonel Gaddafi and his government," it states. "The possibility that he could resist the rebellion in his country for a sustained period could place greater pressure for action on the Obama administration and European leaders, who had hoped that the Libyan leader would be forced from power quickly."

The European Union showed signs of confusion and disunity Thursday over how to handle the Libya crisis, the Independent reports. 

As the EU tried to present a unified front, France chose to break out on its own and become the first nation to recognize the rebels' national council as the country's "legitimate representative."

"France is playing the role of breaking the ice for the European Union. This is the first nail in the coffin of Gaddafi. We expect all Europe to follow," Mustafa Gheriani, a rebel spokesman said, according to Australia’s ABC network.

France's move caused some EU countries to respond with a "mixture of anger and dismay."

Divisions also emerged over a decision to implement a no-fly zone over Libya. Some European countries and the United States have expressed hesitation over being drawn into what could become a civil war.

"We do not want to get sucked into a war in North Africa," said German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle.

— Nichole Sobecki, Hanna Ingber Win