Gaddafi takes rebel city closest to Tripoli

THE closest rebel-held city to the Libyan capital has fallen to Muammar Gaddafi’s forces.

On another fighting front near the opposition-held east of the country, government forces trying to stop rebels advancing towards Tripoli pounded them with airstrikes and rockets.

The latest round of battles on opposite ends of Libya’s Mediterranean coast once again revealed the weakness and disorganisation of both sides in the conflict.