Qaddafi forces go on the offensive
Top story: Momentum appears to be shifting toward pro-government forces in Libya as warplanes continue to pound rebel-held positions and pro-Qaddafi fighters regained several towns. Warplanes launched at least five airstrikes Tuesday on the rebel-held oil town of Ras Lanuf, but the planes didn't appear to hit any fighters, instead bombing a residential neighborhood. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
Meanwhile, witnesses report that Zawyia, the town closest to Tripoli that had been taken by the rebels, is now back in Qaddafi's hands. The town of Bin Jawad, near Ras Lanuf, has also reportedly been recaptured by government forces.
The international community appears to be moving closer to imposing a no-fly zone to neutralize Qaddafi's airpower advantage. Britain and France are drafting a resolution on the subject that will be debated in the UN Security Council on Thursday. The Organization of the Islamic Conference has also joined in calls for a no-fly zone to be imposed. NATO has boosted its surveillance flights over the country.
Rebel leaders say they were approached by a representative of the government who offered to negotiate the terms of Qaddafi's departure from power. The representative's authority to make such an offer could not be verified and the overture was rejected by the rebels. Qaddafi has argued in the past that as he has no formal position as Libya's leader, he has no power to give up.
War on terror: President Obama reversed his two-year-old order halting military trials at Guantanamo Bay.
| Middle East - A leader of Bahrain's opposition movement said he may support demands to oust the country's monarchy.
- Tunisia announced that it will dissolve its state security apparatus.
- Ayatollah Ali Akbar Rafsanjani has been ousted from his position as chairman of Iran's influential Assembly of Experts.
Asia Europe - Police in Scotland arrested a man in connection with last December's suicide bombing in Stockholm.
- Former French President Jacques Chirac has gone on trial for embezzlement.
- Italian police carried out a major crackdown on the 'ndrangheta crime syndicate.
Africa - Incumbent Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo has nationalized the country's coffee and cocoa industries.
- More than 40 people have been killed in clashes between the government and a rebel militias in Southern Sudan.
- Police in the DR Congo have arrested at least 126 people in connection with last month's alleged coup attempt against the president.
Americas -By Joshua Keating |  |
MARCO LONGARI/AFP/Getty Images
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