GHAZAIA, Libya (Reuters) – Rebels who seized the government-held town of Ghazaia in Libya’s Western Mountain in a new offensive describe themselves as “liberators,” but there were no cheers when they rolled in.

Its estimated 5,000 residents, supporters of Muammar Gaddafi, had been transported to his stronghold Tripoli by his militiamen, leaving behind a ghost town.

HAWAMID, Libya (Reuters) – Rebels have encircled Muammar Gaddafi’s last stronghold in Libya’s Western Mountain region and hope to seize it soon, a commander said on Saturday.

Rebel tanks fired at Tiji, where an estimated 500 government troops are stationed, and the blasts could be heard from the nearby town of Hawamid, which was captured on Thursday in a new offensive against the army.

NALUT, Libya (Reuters) – Encouraged by promises of economic and political reform, Libyan Bashir Firgani put some money together and returned home after 18 years in Britain to set up a tourism business on the coast.

But he soon concluded that success would never be possible without ties to Muammar Gaddafi’s sons and other members of the

NALUT/BENGHAZI, Libya, July 29 (Reuters) – Libya’s rebels
say their military chief was shot dead in an incident that
remains shrouded in mystery and may point to deep divisions
within the movement trying to oust Muammar Gaddafi.

The killing, announced late on Thursday, came as the rebels
launched an offensive in the west and won further international
recognition, which they hope to translate into access to
billions of dollars in frozen funds.

NALUT, Libya (Reuters) – Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s army is so demoralized that officers have to threaten soldiers and their families with death to force them to fight, government forces captured by rebels told Reuters Thursday.

“I don’t want to fight to any more. I don’t want blood,” said one soldier who was wounded after rebels launched an offensive Thursday on government-controlled towns and villages below Libya’s Western Mountains.

NALUT, Libya (Reuters) – Rebels in Libya’s Western Mountains launched an offensive on Thursday against Muammar Gaddafi’s troops, as Portugal followed Britain in granting diplomatic recognition to the opposition.

With prospects fading of a negotiated settlement, both sides seem prepared for the five-month war to grind on into the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in August.

NALUT, Libya (Reuters) – Rebels in Libya’s Western Mountains launched an offensive on Thursday against Muammar Gaddafi’s troops, one day after Britain granted diplomatic recognition to the opposition.

With prospects of a negotiated settlement fading, both sides appear to be preparing for the five-month-old war to grind on into the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in August.

NALUT, Libya July 28 (Reuters) – Rebels fighting in Libya’s
western mountains prepared on Thursday for a new offensive
against Muammar Gaddafi’s troops, raising pressure on the Libyan
leader a day after Britain granted diplomatic recognition to the
opposition.

With hopes fading of a negotiated settlement, both sides
appear prepared for the five-month-old war to grind on into the
Muslim holy month of Ramadan in August.

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Pakistan’s Taliban, a close ally of al Qaeda, has threatened to carry out a series of attacks against American, British and French targets to avenge the death of Osama bin Laden.

“Soon you will see attacks against America and NATO countries, and our first priorities in Europe will be France and Britain,” deputy Pakistani Taliban leader Wali-ur-Rehman said in a videotape aired on Al Arabiya over the weekend.

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) – Dilawar Khan often gets phone calls that would fill others with dread — threats from the Pakistani Taliban to behead him. He gives his usual response: Not if he kills them first.

Khan, leader of a Pashtun tribal militia, joined forces with Pakistani security forces in 2008 to help them battle a rising tide of militancy.