Qaddafi Forces Strike Central Oil Ports to Halt Rebels’ Advance

Muammar Qaddafi’s forces carried out air and artillery strikes on central oil ports to halt a rebel advance along the coast, while stepping up attacks on towns in the west that have risen up against him.

Troops were within 20 kilometers (12 miles) of Ras Lanuf, the western-most town in opposition hands, the Associated Press said. Warplanes sent from Qaddafi’s home region of Sirte struck the Ras Lanuf refinery, the country’s largest, Al Jazeera television said. Libya’s state broadcaster blamed damage in the town on retreating rebels. Most of the port of Sidra was destroyed and an oil terminal was hit, Al Jazeera said.