Libyan forces approach stalemate as U.S. prepares military option
Top story: Fighter jets and ground troops loyal to Libyan leader Col. Muammar al-Qaddafi attacked cities held by the rebel forces on Monday, but leaders of the anti-Qaddafi movement dismissed the attacks as ineffective.
The two Libyan MIG-23s took off from near Qaddafi's stronghold of Sirte and bombed a number of sites, including a weapons depot and a water pipeline. Troops loyal to Qaddafi were also reportedly shelling the city of Misurata, which is controlled by anti-Qaddafi forces. And in the city of Zawiya, residents said that they rebuffed an attack from pro-Qaddafi militiamen, killing approximately 10 soldiers and capturing around 12 more.
However, there are few signs that the rebels are preparing a force that could threaten Qaddafi's hold on Tripoli. The security services have brutally suppressed expressions of dissent within the Libyan capital, firing into crowds of demonstrators from the back of pick-up trucks or even ambulances.
The United States, meanwhile, escalated its political and military pressure on the Qaddafi regime by freezing $30 billion of its assets and moving U.S. Navy warships closer to the Libyan coast. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also told reporters that "no option is off the table" in terms of a U.S. response to the crisis, including the implementation of a no-fly zone.
Oman protests grow: The protest movement in Oman spread from the port city of Sohar to the capital of Muscat, as thousands gathered to demand greater economic opportunity.
| Middle East - Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets to the Yemeni capital of Sanaa to demand the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
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Iran opposed the logo of the 2012 Olympic Games as "racist," claiming that it resembles the word "Zion." -
A humanitarian crisis is brewing on the Libyan-Tunisian border as tens of thousands of people flee the chaos in Libya, according to the United Nations. Asia -
The Chinese Foreign Ministry urged journalists to "cooperate" with security forces after several reporters were assaulted during a government crackdown. -
The United States placed Chinese search engine Baidu on its list of "notorious markets," claiming that it steered consumers toward pirated materials. -
New Zealand held a moment of silence to commemorate those who lost their lives in the earthquake that struck one week ago. Europe -
Germany's defense minister resigned after it was revealed he had plagiarized his doctoral thesis. -
Britain is preparing for a humanitarian aid effort to Libya after the current crisis is resolved, according to a government official. -
A Belarusian opposition candidate in the recent presidential election said that he was tortured when he was detained after the election. Africa -
A U.N. team was attacked in the Ivory Coast as it attempts to investigate reports of a breach in the arms embargo imposed on the country. -
Zimbabwe's police and military displayed a show of force in the capital of Harare to dispel any potential anti-government protests. -
UNESCO reported that warfare has prevented 28 million children worldwide from receiving a proper education, with the Democratic Republic of Congo being one of the worst-affected places. Americas -
Cuban President Raul Castro acknowledged that his government's plan to lay off 500,000 workers by the end of March was behind schedule. -
- A Venezuelan union leader was sentenced to seven years in jail for leading a 2009 strike at an iron ore mining company.
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-David KennerPATRICK BAZ/AFP/Getty Images
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