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Breaking News Alert: Gaddafi’s forces enter Benghazi as U.S., allies prepare military action against Libya
March 19, 2011 6:30:11 AM
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Forces led by Moammar Gaddafi entered the eastern rebel stronghold of
Benghazi Saturday after airstrikes and fierce fighting as the United
States and its allies prepared to launch military attacks on Libya.
A warplane was shot down over Benghazi. Government troops — some
reportedly in tanks -- entered Benghazi from the west, in the university
area. The city of 1 million quickly became a ghost town, with residents
fleeing or seeking cover in barricaded neighborhoods. A Washington Post
reporter saw the aircraft go down in flames. It was not known who shot
it down.
On Friday, President
Obama warned that the Libyan leader faced imminent military action
unless his troops were withdrawn from all disputed cities in the
country. But assaults on rebel-held towns continued despite government
promises of a cease-fire.
