Under-fire Libyan rebels flee to Tunisia

Thousands of Libyans are being forced to flee into Tunisia after forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi’s forces began shelling mountain towns in the west of the country Libya, rebel leaders said today.

Tunisian officials said that four mortar shells from the fighting hit Tunisian territory today.

Fighting erupted two months ago, when protests at Gaddafi’s four decades in power turned into an armed uprising. Rebels control most of the east, while Gaddafi holds the west.

However, there are pockets of resistance in western Libya, particularly the Nafusa mountains that are home to Libya’s Berber minority.

Rebels said Gaddafi’s forces have assaulted the towns of Yafrin and Qalaa with Grad rockets, tank shells and anti-aircraft guns in recent days.