Major push in Libya imminent

June 18, 2011

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by , Daily Mirror 18/06/2011

BRITISH special forces troops are hunting down anti-aircraft weapons in Libya in

advance of a massive push against Colonel Gaddafi.

The SAS are seizing and destroying deadly " man-portable air defence systems " to

stop the regime from shooting down Apache attack helicopters and fighter jets.

The mission was ordered as Libyan rebels and Nato prepared for their biggest

assault so far on Tripoli where Gaddafi's inner circle is showing signs of

weakening.

Nato planes have been dropping leaflets on regime positions warning the troops

that " the Apaches are coming " .

Locals have been told to evacuate the towns and the front line east of Tripoli

has been closed to journalists and civilians in advance of a major attack.

British and French attack helicopters are preparing to hammer Gaddafi positions

surrounding the strategic town of Zlitan, 100 miles east of the capital

Tripoli. A military source revealed: " There is a lot of talk on the ground about

a major push to wipe out Gaddafi's artillery defences and it is coming very

soon.

" Rebels have been briefed not to shoot at Apaches and French Tiger attack

choppers. " Meanwhile, diplomats were trying to halt Libya's four-month civil war

as Nato air strikes once again hammered Gaddafi's stronghold in Tripoli.

At least 10 people were reported killed and 40 wounded when Gaddafi's forces

shelled the city of Misrata in western Libya, a rebel spokesman said yesterday.

One of the dictator's sons told an Italian newspaper that while his father would

not seek exile, elections under international supervision could offer a way out.

Seif al-Islam said a vote could be organised within three months.

He added that his father would step aside if he lost, which he said was

unlikely. He did acknowledge that " my father's regime, as it developed since

1969, is dead " .

But Libyan TV yesterday broadcast a telephone call from Gaddafi in which he

vowed to defeat the Nato alliance.

He said: " They are facing an armed nation of a millions. They will be defeated. "

In Washington, US State Department spokeswoman Nuland rejected the idea

of elections saying: " It's a little late. It's time for him to go. "

The number of Libyans fleeing the country has mounted in recent days, with 6,330

crossing into Tunisia. Dozens of the regime's soldiers have also defected.

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