Gadhafi Closes In, Allies Remain Divided

BY YAROSLAV TROFIMOV IN AJDABIYA, LIBYA, JOE LAURIA AT THE UNITED NATIONS AND NATHALIE BOSCHAT IN PARIS

Forces loyal to Libyan strongman Moammar Gadhafi on Tuesday captured the last rebel-held town west of Tripoli and closed in on key rebel positions, threatening to strangle the revolt even as the U.S. and Europe remained divided over military responses.

Rebels in Zwara, one of the first towns seized by antigovernment forces in the uprising, said government troops retook the town with heavy tank and artillery fire, but sporadic street battles are ongoing, the Associated Press reported.

The victory, if confirmed, would solidify Col. Gadhafi's hold on the western stretch of coastline from the capital to the Tunisian border. Foreign ...

More Here