Libyan rebels retake control of Ajdabiya

Libyan rebels backed by a barrage of Western air strikes seized control on Saturday of the strategic eastern oil town of Ajdabiya from Colonel Moamer Gaddafi's forces, an AFP correspondent reported.

British network BBC reported that the rebels shouted "Thank you, Obama," and "Thank you, Cameron," after taking over Ajdabiya, which is the first city to fall under the rebels' control since western coalition members began their military campaign in the country.

The report came as huge explosions shook a military site in an eastern suburb of Libya's capital early Saturday as Western forces piled pressure on Colonel Muammar Gaddafi with a barrage of air strikes.

The blasts, on the eighth day of a Western bombing campaign to halt attacks by Gaddafi's forces on civilians, left a radar facility in flames in Tajura, home to several military bases, a witness told AFP.

"The district was shaken by three explosions in succession," the resident said, adding that the explosions had shattered windows.

"The raid targeted a military radar site which is still on fire," the resident, who lives close by, added.

US officials said the relentless pressure on Gaddafi and his allies was beginning to take its toll, and that the veteran Libyan leader was arming volunteers.

"We've received reports today that he has taken to arming what he calls volunteers to fight the opposition," said US Vice Admiral William Gortney.

'Gates will fall soon'

Plumes of smoke filled the sky over Ajdabiya on Friday as the air strikes escalated, forcing terrified residents to flee the strategic coastal city, 160 kilometers (100 miles) south of the eastern rebel stronghold of Benghazi.

"We entered the town," Colonel Mohammed Ehsayer, who defected from the army to join the rebellion against Gaddafi, told AFP at a rebel outpost a few kilometers east of the city.

"Soon the eastern and western gates (entry roads) will fall," he said referring to positions still in loyalist hands, with the uprising now in its fifth week.

Libyan rebels celebrate (Archive photo: AP)

Libyan state television reported coalition warplanes also carried out raids late Friday on the coastal town of Zliten, 160 kilometers (100 miles) east of Tripoli.

Gaddafi also appeared to be showing signs of strain as his key allies put out feelers to mediators, possibly over an exit strategy.

The Pentagon said 12 countries were now taking part in the coalition seeking to enforce the no-fly zone, including Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Qatar became the first Arab nation to take part in the military campaign, with two of its Mirage fighter jets carrying out "air interdiction mission," its air force and the French military said on Friday.

"Having our first Arab nation join and start flying with us emphasizes that the world wants the innocent Libyan people protected from the atrocities perpetrated by pro-regime forces," US Air Forces Africa Commander Maj. Gen. Margaret Woodward said.

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