Reply #36: Gadhafi heartland digs in against revolution

[tabatha]

By RAMI AL-SHAHEIBI, Associated Press – 1 hour ago

WADI AL-HAMMAR, Libya (AP) — The revolution's quest to unite Libya under its control has a formidable challenge standing in the way: A swath of territory where disciplined loyalists fighters stage precision attacks and withering shelling barrages to defend land that includes Moammar Gadhafi's hometown.

It's far too early to predict whether the pro-Gadhafi heartland — wedged between the former rebel hub of Benghazi and the capital Tripoli — could turn into a seat of resistance such as insurgent zones in Iraq or Afghanistan. But, for the moment, it carries the same interplay of firepower and zealotry, fueling attacks that have killed at least 80 anti-Gadhafi forces in recent days.
"Its cities are packed with weapons, missiles and ammunition depots," said Fadl-Allah Haroun, a commander of revolutionary units near Benghazi. "It is an unbelievable force."

Currently, former rebel fighters are assembling for an expected push into the well-defended loyalist stronghold of Bani Walid, on the western end of the 240-mile (400-kilometer) band of pro-Gadhafi territory. It includes the hunted leader's Mediterranean birthplace Sirte and stretches to near the oil port of Ras Lanouf — which came under back-to-back attacks by loyalist forces on Monday that killed 15 guards.

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