Anti-Kadhafi forces repel attack on Brega

Opponents in the east have pushed back an offensive led by forces loyal to Moamer Kadhafi on the key oil town of Brega. The Libyan leader has warned “thousands” would die if the US and its allies sought to implement a no-fly zone over the country

Reuters

While discussions continue at the UN on implementing a no-fly zone to stop Kadhafi from attacking his own people, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said any such decision was a long way off. Clinton warned on Wednesday  that any intervention would be "controversial" in the Arab world.

In the eastern town of Brega, opponents of Kadhafi were celebrating their victory on Wednesday after Libyan fighter jets launched air strikes on the oil-rich town. Despite pounding rebels with heavy weaponry and tanks, Kadhafi's forces were driven back by reinforcements sent in from Benghazi, the main city under opposition control.

Opponents say at least ten people have died in the fighting, and an AFP reporter says he saw the bloodied bodies of four young men in a morgue.

The opposition controls the eastern coast and some parts of western Libya, however Kadhafi remains in control of the capital Tripoli.

Speaking on state television, Kadhafi warned that the "battle will be very, very long" if foreign powers intervened. Separately, three Dutch soldiers were taken prisoner at the weekend by armed men loyal to Kadhafi during an operation to evacuate civilians.

As the humanitarian crisis deepens, France has said it was sending a helicopter to help evacuate citizens.

On Wednesday, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Kadhafi discussed plans for an international peacekeeping mission to mediate the crisis in Libya, officials said.

"We do confirm that Comandante Chavez had a conversation with Kadhafi yesterday (Tuesday) on a Peace Commission for Libya proposal," Communications Minister Andres Izarra tweeted.