Qaddafi gathers forces, but rebellion gains momentum
Top story: Col. Muammar al-Qaddafi appeared to be refortifying his control over the capital of Tripoli, with residents reporting that thousands of his mercenaries and military units loyal to him were gathering on the roads outside the city. However, rebel gains and further defections from the military cast doubt on how long the Libyan leader could hold out.
Residents reported clashes in a number of towns surrounding Tripoli, suggesting that Qaddafi's forces were beginning to strike back. In the town of Zawiya, the minaret of a mosque, which protesters had been using as a safe haven, was destroyed by heavy weapons. Anti-Qaddafi demonstrators had previously declared that they had seized the town from government control.
But there were also signs that Qaddafi's grip on power was slipping further. The town of Misurata, 130 miles east of Tripoli, reportedly fell to the rebels on Wednesday. At least half of the Libyan coast to the east of Tripoli is apparently in the hands of anti-Qaddafi forces.
The protesters are also massing their strength for a massive anti-Qaddafi demonstration in Tripoli on Friday. A message reportedly went out to cellular phones across the country, urging them to take part in the effort to oust Qaddafi from power.
Obama condemns Libya violence: President Obama spoke about the unfolding crisis in Libya for the first time in four days on Wednesday. "The suffering and bloodshed is outrageous, and it is unacceptable," he said of the government crackdown.
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-David KennerErnesto Ruscio/Getty Images
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