Rebels locked in fight for key city

Heavy fighting raged for a second day around a key front-line city as rebels struggled to keep control of a buffer zone protecting their main eastern strongholds.

Shelling and gunfire was heard across Ajdabiya after forces loyal to Libyan leader launched their most sustained offensive since being driven back by international airstrikes last month.

A hospital chief said at least 13 people have been killed since fighting erupted yesterday and a Libyan official claimed government forces downed two US-built helicopters used by rebels.

Rebels are desperate to hang onto the city to give breathing room to their main political base in Benghazi, about 100 miles farther up the coastal highway. If it moves into government hands, however, there is just open desert to Benghazi - the same scenario that galvanised the international air campaign over fears of mass civilian casualties.

At least 11 people died in yesterday’s fighting, said Ajdabiya hospital supervisor Mohammed Idris, with two more rebels killed today.

The apparent surge in ground fighting could add urgency to the latest peace initiative. Envoys from the African Union plan to hold talks with Muammar Gaddafi and rebels during a two-day visit beginning today.

An official from the African bloc, Khellaf Brahan, said its proposals call for an immediate cease-fire, opening channels for humanitarian aid and talks between the rebels and the government. But it’s unclear whether rebel leaders would agree to call off their attacks while Gaddafi remained in power.

In the capital Tripoli, the deputy foreign minister claimed government forces shot down two US-built Chinook helicopters being used by rebel forces in the east of the country.

Khaled Kaim said the helicopters were shot down near the eastern oil facilities of Brega – a key objective of rebels – and accused Nato commanders of a double standard to allow rebel forces to operate aircraft in “clear violation” of the UN-backed no-fly zone over the country.

“We have a question for the allied forces – is this resolution made for the Libyan government only or everyone in Libya?” he asked.

Nato, which enforces the no-fly zone said it has been has been applying it to both sides and yesterday intercepted a rebel MiG-23 fighter jet and forced it back to the airport.

No forces also continue to carry out airstrikes against Gaddafi’s forces, destroying 17 tanks and damaging nine others, the alliance announced yesterday.

Rebels have criticised Nato for not giving them sufficient battlefield support as government forces continue to push into the east.