The Libyan rebels’ push westwards towards Tripoli gathered momentum Sunday amid promises the uprising would not further hamper oil production in the areas under their control.
The rebels’ pursuit of Col. Muammar Gaddafi’s forces saw them wrest back control of key oil town Ras Lanuf and press on as far as Nofilia with Col. Gaddafi’s hometown of Sirte firmly in their sights 100 km further along the road where the next major battle was expected.
The oilfields in rebel-held territory are producing between 100,000 and 130,000 barrels a day, and the Opposition plans to begin exporting oil “in less than a week”, a rebel representative said.
“We are producing about 100,000 to 130,000 barrels a day, we can easily up that to about 300,000 a day,” rebel leader Ali Tarhoni said.
Nato was close to taking over all operations in Libya, but will strictly limit the use of force to protection of civilians and populated areas.
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16 Somali pirates caught by Navy off Lakshadweep
Age Correspondent
Mumbai
March 27: The Indian Navy and Coast Guard on Saturday thwarted yet another piracy attempt, and for the fourth time arrested Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea.
“This time 16 Somali pirates operating west of the Lakshadweep Islands have been apprehended,” said Capt. Manohar Nambiar, CPRO (defence). The Navy and Coast Guard, as part of Operation Island Watch, have maintained heavy surveillance off Lakshadweep for the past several months.