Libya rebels take Zlitan as RAF clears way after two-month struggle

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Source: The Guardian

Libyan rebels have entered the town of Zlitan after a weekend of heavy fighting in which Nato escalated its bombing campaign in the runup to the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

RAF planes dropped 16 Paveway laser-guided bombs in two days around the town, destroying government tanks, rocket launchers, ammunition dumps and command centres, and clearing a path for the rebels.

The Ministry of Defence said RAF jets also attacked a railway construction site at Bani Walid, south-west of Zlitan, commandeered for use as a military fuel distribution facility.

Opposition fighters said the town, which they have struggled to capture for eight weeks, was quiet on Monday, with no sign of government troops. We are in the town centre and we have the hospital," said rebel fighter Yunus Al-Haq. "It's good for the spirit."

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/01/libya-rebels-take-zlitan-raf-clears