Rebel forces in western Libya pushed north on Thursday toward the town of Zawiyah, trying to get within striking distance of Muammar Qadhafi's capital Tripoli. Qadhafi is clinging to power despite a near five-month Nato air campaign, tightening economic sanctions, and a lengthening war with rebels seeking to end his 41-year rule. The rebels have seized large swathes of the North African state, but are deeply divided and have yet to march on Tripoli.
On Thursday, they reached the village of Bir Shuaib, some 25 km (15 miles) from Zawiyah, which has unsuccessfully risen up against Qadhafi twice this year. It lies less than 50 km west of Tripoli, on the main road to Tunisia, which has been a lifeline for Libya but has begun to crack down on rampant smuggling.
"We've gone past Nasr village and right now we're about 25 km from Zawiyah," said Faris, a rebel fighter. Rebels prevented reporters from reaching the front to see for themselves. Rebels in the western mountains do not operate as a single force, as each town has its own command. But when they join forces for major operations they can muster a few thousand men.
Their force is poorly trained and short of heavy weaponry - despite a French arms drop earlier this year - and most analysts do not think they are capable of capturing Tripoli. In an effort to pile economic and military pressure on Qadhafi, more countries are set to announce next week that they will free frozen assets for the rebels, a British official said. The senior official said steps taken by the international community meant Qadhafi and his supporters were nearing a "tipping point" when they would be forced from power.
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