Libyan rebels have been involved in a gun battle in the key town of Al Zawiyah just 18 miles (30km) from the capital Tripoli.
The rebels claim they have reached the centre of the town, but the Gaddafi regime says it remains in control.
A plume of smoke could be seen rising to the north of the town, close to the Mediterranean coastline, and there was sporadic gunfire to the south.
Ian Woods, Sky News senior news correspondent, was with two colleagues from other media organisations, travelling along the main coast road towards Tripoli along with two Libyan government minders, when their minibus became caught up in the firefight.
He reported: "We were making the regular journey from the Tunisian border to Tripoli to be based at the government supervised Rixos Hotel in the city.
"Earlier in the day several members of the media travelled in the opposite direction without incident.
"But at around 5pm, the minibus was waved to a halt by soldiers on the outskirts of Al awiyah and was forced to take a detour through the northern suburbs.
"However, as it did so, gunfire could be heard and government soldiers were seen retreating down side streets, waving the minibus away."
Al Zawiyah was the scene of fierce fighting five months ago, witnessed by Sky's Alex Crawford.
She and her colleagues filmed 2 days of artillery assault by government tanks, attacking rebels who were trying to defend the town.
It was eventually recaptured, but many civilians were killed.
It has been held by the regime ever since, but it's strategic location on the coast makes it a prized target for the National Transitional Council because it would cut the regime's supply lines to the west of Tripoli.
0 comments:
Post a Comment