Mistaken NATO Air Raid Kills 4 Libyan Rebels

NATO aircraft have mistakenly destroyed a tank captured from Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's forces in the surroundings of the western town of Zawiyah, leaving four rebels dead.

The tank was captured on August 13, when the rebels raided the town, overrunning the western sector but encountering fierce resistance from Gaddafi's troops who took up positions in the east, international news agencies reported.

Rebels on the ground said they were driving the tank out of Zawiyah when the NATO warplanes struck, destroying the vehicle.

A photojournalist saw pools of blood in front of the tank and was told four insurgents had been killed in the air strike.

Following NATO's daily update, its aircraft struck two tanks in Zawiyah on Saturday.

Rebel fighters reached Zawiyah, about 50 km west of Tripoli, on Saturday evening, after which they were assaulted by Gaddafi troops.

Libyan Government Spokesperson Mussa Ibrahim claimed the rebels had been driven out of town, while the photojournalist said they retained power over the western parts, while the eastern areas remained under the control of the government.

Libyan rebel forces are fighting Monday Gaddafi loyalists for control of Garyan, a town situated 80 km south of Tripoli.

A rebel fighter said Sunday that insurgents controlled 70% of the town.

A government spokesman claimed Sunday that Garyan was still under under Gaddafi's control.

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