AL JAZEERA ENGLISH: At least 30 civilians killed after Gaddafi loyalists try to retake rebel-held town of Az Zawiyah, witnesses say.At least 30 civilians have been killed after security forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi, Libyan leader, attempted to retake the rebel-held town of Az Zawiyah, near the capital Tripoli, that has for days been defying his rule, witnesses have said.
The rebellion in Az Zawiyah - the closest rebel-held territory to the capital and also the site of an oil refinery - has been an embarassment to the Libyan authorities who are trying to show they control at least the west of the country.
Eastern regions of the country, around the city of Benghazi, have already fallen out of Gaddafi's control after a popular revolt against his four decades of rule.
At least nine people have been killed and 10 others injured outside an ammunition depot near Benghazi. There are conflicting reports about the cause of Friday's blast.
Hospital sources said it was triggered when people went into the storage facility to collect weapons, however, others blamed pro-Gaddafi forces for the blast.
In Az Zawiyah, Mohamed, a resident of the town, told the Reuters news agency: "I have been to hospital less than 15 minutes ago. Dozens were killed and more were wounded."
"We have counted 30 dead civilians. The hospital was full. They could not find space for the casualties. >>> Al Jazeera and agencies | Friday, March 04, 2011
