Air strike targets Libyan rebels east of Ras Lanuf

RAS LANUF: A fighter jet carried out an air strike on Tuesday in the Libyan desert east of rebel-held Ras Lanuf, where a big plume of dark grey smoke rose over the highway, an AFP reporter said. The missile appeared to fall about eight kilometres (five miles) east of the strategic oil town, which is the eastern front of the rebels' battle to bring down ruler Moamer Qadhafi after four decades in power. It was not immediately clear whether there were any casualties or damage. Libyan jets have carried out daily strikes in the fight to put down the revolt and while most have missed their targets, a father and a son were wounded in one such attack at Ras Lanuf on Monday. An AFP reporter saw fewer rebels at the main Ras Lanuf checkpoint on Tuesday than in previous days.