Rebels push back Kadhafi forces in Zintan

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ZINTAN: Libyan rebels defending Zintan southwest of Tripoli on Wednesday pushed back forces loyal to Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi who had blasted the town with rockets, wounding three people and damaging the local hospital.

After intense fire between the two sides in the afternoon with anti-aircraft guns being used, the insurgents moved toward the pro-Kadhafi lines on neighbouring hills and the government forces finally withdrew to a village held by a friendly tribe.

At least 20 Grad rockets struck Zintan, three of which crashed near the hospital, damaging the parking area, the main gate and the entrance to emergency services as well as four nearby houses, a witness said.

Three people were wounded, medics said. Hospital staff lamented a "cruel lack" of equipment and means to look after the sick and wounded.

Several families fled the town on Wednesday heading for the Tunisian border further west.

At the Dehiba border crossing, witnesses reported a line of some 500 cars seeking to cross from Libya into Tunisia. Dehiba was taken by rebels last Wednesday, and there have been fears of a counter-attack.

The mountainous area of Zintan, southwest of Tripoli, was one of the first to rise up against Kadhafi's regime in March.

Inhabitants of the western region have reported an upsurge in fighting in recent days, with Kadhafi forces pounding the town with Grad rockets and gunfire since Sunday.

Four people were killed late Sunday and nine wounded, including a four-year-old girl shot in the head, residents and medics had said Monday.

Security sources said pro-Kadhafi fighters tried earlier Wednesday to enter Tunisia at a point about eight kilometres (five miles) south of Dehiba in a bid to sneak up on the rebels, but were stopped by Tunisian forces.

Fighting was subsequently heard around the town of Nalut, about 50 kilometres east of Dehiba, according to civilian and military witnesses. (AFP)