Qaddafi forces push back at key town
Top news: Forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar al-Qaddafi launched airstrikes on the key oil town of Ras Lanuf, which was recently taken by rebels. The nearby town of Bin Jawwad fell to pro-government forces. Heavy fighting was also reported in the rebel controlled town of Misarata, 125 miles east of Tripoli.
Qaddafi's forces are using tanks, helicopters, and fighter planes to push back the rebels, who have been steadily advancing toward the Libyan capital in recent weeks. Rebel leaders say they are now trying to regroup but are badly in need in reinforcements.
Nearly 200,000 people, many of them foreign guest workers, have fled Libya since the unrest began on Feb. 15. The United Nations has launched an appeal to raise $162 million for humanitarian aid to Libya. Former Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdelilah al-Khatib has been appointed as Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's special envoy for the crisis.
Afghanistan: President Hamid Karzai has rejected American apologies over the deaths of 9 Afghan boys in a helicopter attack, while anti-U.S. demonstrations were held in Kabul.
| Middle East - Shiite protesters in Bahrain marched outside the U.S. embassy to ask for American support for their cause.
- Egyptian protesters clashed with police over reports that documents from Hosni Mubarak's presidency were being destroyed.
- Masked attackers burned the tents of protesters in Iraq's Kurdistan region.
Asia - Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara resigned after receiving illegal donations from a foreigner.
- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates arrived in Afghanistan to discuss troop withdrawals.
- North Korea has called for talks with the south to discuss the return of recent defectors.
Europe Africa - Rebels loyal to the Ivory Coast's internationally recognized president Alassane Ouattara captured a town after a fierce battle.
- Pro-government forces in Somalia have captured a key town near with border with Kenya.
- A satellite monitoring group says more than 300 buildings in Sudan's disputed Abyei region have recently been burned.
Americas -By Joshua Keating |  |
MARCO LONGARI/AFP/Getty Image
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