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Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's forces fired mortars and guns at rebel forces in an apparent effort to break through a stalemated line west of the rebel-held city of Misrata on Sunday, CNN's Ben Wedeman reported from the scene. Rebels returned fire, and while some pulled back to seek cover from the incoming artillery shells, others moved forward toward the front line near the town of Dafniya, about 35 kilometers west of Misrata.
More than 25 opposition fighters have been wounded in the battle so far, medics at a field hospital told CNN. They did not report any deaths, but fighters returning from the battle said two men had been killed.
Ambulances continued bringing wounded in for treatment.
Libya has been in the throes of a civil war for months, since Gadhafi dug in his heels against popular efforts to force him out of power as anti-government protests sweep the Arab world this year.
The battle near Misrata came two days after Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev changed Moscow's position and called for Gadhafi to step down.
Medvedev's statement, echoing the stance of American and European leaders, appeared to indicate a closing diplomatic window for the Libyan strongman after 42 years in power.
The head of Libya's opposition National Transitional Council, Mustafa Abdul Jalil, Saturday welcomed the Russian statement.
Jalil said he has offered amnesty to Gadhafi loyalists who defect before the demise of the regime, but reiterated that there will be "no negotiation for any solution until Gadhafi's departure."
Once that happens, elections and a constitutional referendum will be held within a year, Jailil said in the opposition stronghold of Benghazi.
In an interview with CNN, Jalil said the council had sold a shipment of oil to China for $160 million. The confirmation of the sale is expected to buttress the political and economic credibility of the fledgling rebel power.
The leader said the movement has a "financial crisis" and is seeking loans from outside the country.
The council is happy for political support, but will not ask Russia for arms or economic aid, Jalil said.
The unrest in Libya has persisted for months as opposition members demand an end to Gadhafi's rule.
Jalil marked the 100th day of the nation's civil war.
"We see victories emerging at both national and international levels," he said. "We should celebrate what our heroic sons have accomplished in Misrata and the Nafusa mountains, as well as applaud the wide international support for our revolution."
Meanwhile, a rare series of morning explosions rocked the capital of Tripoli on Saturday, including blasts at a compound belonging to Gadhafi and one at a nearby tribal compound, a government official said.
The official said one morning strike occurred on Bab bin Ghashir, a tribal compound near Gadhafi's Bab al-Aziziya compound, where the other strikes occurred. The official believed the strikes were NATO attacks.
No casualties were reported.
Morning strikes in Tripoli are rare. NATO confirmed one of the attacks -- a press officer said the strike on Bab bin Ghashir was timed to minimize civilian casualties.
NATO said it targeted a vehicle storage area at Bab bin Ghashir.
NATO is operating under a U.N. Security Council resolution authorizing the use of any means -- with the exception of foreign occupation -- to protect civilians from attack or the threat of attack. It has been conducting airstrikes targeting Gadhafi's military resources.
More than 25 opposition fighters have been wounded in the battle so far, medics at a field hospital told CNN. They did not report any deaths, but fighters returning from the battle said two men had been killed.
Ambulances continued bringing wounded in for treatment.
Libya has been in the throes of a civil war for months, since Gadhafi dug in his heels against popular efforts to force him out of power as anti-government protests sweep the Arab world this year.
The battle near Misrata came two days after Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev changed Moscow's position and called for Gadhafi to step down.
Medvedev's statement, echoing the stance of American and European leaders, appeared to indicate a closing diplomatic window for the Libyan strongman after 42 years in power.
The head of Libya's opposition National Transitional Council, Mustafa Abdul Jalil, Saturday welcomed the Russian statement.
Jalil said he has offered amnesty to Gadhafi loyalists who defect before the demise of the regime, but reiterated that there will be "no negotiation for any solution until Gadhafi's departure."
Once that happens, elections and a constitutional referendum will be held within a year, Jailil said in the opposition stronghold of Benghazi.
In an interview with CNN, Jalil said the council had sold a shipment of oil to China for $160 million. The confirmation of the sale is expected to buttress the political and economic credibility of the fledgling rebel power.
The leader said the movement has a "financial crisis" and is seeking loans from outside the country.
The council is happy for political support, but will not ask Russia for arms or economic aid, Jalil said.
The unrest in Libya has persisted for months as opposition members demand an end to Gadhafi's rule.
Jalil marked the 100th day of the nation's civil war.
"We see victories emerging at both national and international levels," he said. "We should celebrate what our heroic sons have accomplished in Misrata and the Nafusa mountains, as well as applaud the wide international support for our revolution."
Meanwhile, a rare series of morning explosions rocked the capital of Tripoli on Saturday, including blasts at a compound belonging to Gadhafi and one at a nearby tribal compound, a government official said.
The official said one morning strike occurred on Bab bin Ghashir, a tribal compound near Gadhafi's Bab al-Aziziya compound, where the other strikes occurred. The official believed the strikes were NATO attacks.
No casualties were reported.
Morning strikes in Tripoli are rare. NATO confirmed one of the attacks -- a press officer said the strike on Bab bin Ghashir was timed to minimize civilian casualties.
NATO said it targeted a vehicle storage area at Bab bin Ghashir.
NATO is operating under a U.N. Security Council resolution authorizing the use of any means -- with the exception of foreign occupation -- to protect civilians from attack or the threat of attack. It has been conducting airstrikes targeting Gadhafi's military resources.
