TRIPOLI, Aug 28 (Reuters) – Residents of Tripoli dug
makeshift graves to bury the dead as evidence emerged of
widespread summary killings during the battle for the Libyan
capital.

A week after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi, the stench of
decomposing bodies and burning garbage hung over the city as it
faced a major humanitarian crisis due to collapsing water and
power supplies, shortages of medicine and no effective
government.

RAS JDIR, Libyan-Tunisian border, Aug 27 (Reuters) – Libyan
rebels now in control of the main border crossing with Tunisia
were unable to bring in urgently needed supplies for the capital
on Saturday because Tunisia would not let traffic through.

Tunisian officials in the border area said they were worried
that if they opened up the Ras Jdir border crossing, fighting in
the area between rebels and fighters still loyal to Muammar
Gaddafi would spill over into their territory.

JMAYL, Libya (Reuters) – Libyan rebels swept into the town of Jmayl on Saturday, consolidating their grip on areas to the west of Tripoli after forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi fled the home base of Libya’s prime minister.

After a five-day standoff with Gaddafi loyalists in the town, about 100 rebels in pick-up trucks drove in, firing their guns wildly in the air in celebration and flashing V-for-victory signs.

TRIPOLI, Aug 27 (Reuters) – Libyan rebels said they were
closing in on fugitive strongman Muammar Gaddafi and would merge
their disparate fighters in the capital under one command to
streamline operations.

There was no sign of a swift end to the war, which they have
said will only end when Gaddafi is captured dead or alive, but
the rebels claimed victory in Ras Jdir, raising their flag at
the border post with Tunisia after clashes with loyalists.

TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Libyan rebels claimed to be close to capturing Muammar Gaddafi on Friday as their NATO backers bombed diehard loyalists in his tribal bastion, but there was no sign of an end to the war, or to international wrangling over Libya’s riches.

Leaders of the National Transitional Council, which has Western support, pressed foreign governments to release Libyan funds frozen abroad, warning of its urgent need to impose order and provide services to a population traumatized by six months of conflict and 42 years of eccentric, personal rule.

TRIPOLI (Reuters)- The fly-blown, rotting corpses of Muammar Gaddafi’s soldiers lie inside the Bab al-Aziziya compound, killed making a last stand in what was once his stronghold.

The names of the rebel brigades who captured it are now commemorated in graffiti sprayed all over the walls.

TRIPOLI (Reuters) – The people of Tripoli ventured out to mosques on Friday, praying for peace and offering thanks for the fall of Muammar Gaddafi, though the Libyan capital remained locked down and dangerous as rebel fighters hunted the fugitive strongman.

Libya’s new leaders pressed foreign powers for cash to build an army and police force, as well as hospitals, schools and the means to exploit their oil wealth. But as Muslims prepared for the great festival of Eid, many Libyans and their backers in the West saw the first priority as capturing or killing Gaddafi.

TRIPOLI (Reuters) – The Libyan rebel government hopes to restart oil exports within two weeks and reach full volumes in about a year, Ali Tarhouni, the official in charge of financial and oil matters told Reuters.

“The NOC (National Oil Corporation) initial estimate is that we can have about 500,000 to 600,000 barrels within two to three weeks. And then we ramp this up to the normal, which is about 1.6 (million). My expectation is that this will be done within a year or so,” Tarhouni said.

LONDON (Reuters) – Tough prison sentences such as four years for trying to organise a riot via Facebook have triggered alarm in Britain that the government’s crackdown over last week’s unrest may be too harsh.

The Conservative Party, which leads a coalition government, has promised tough action following four nights of violence in London and other cities to mend what it has described as Britain’s broken society.

LONDON (Reuters) – Tough prison sentences such as four years for trying to organize a riot via Facebook have triggered alarm in Britain that the government’s crackdown over last week’s unrest may be too harsh.

Britain’s Conservative Party, which leads a coalition government, has promised tough action following four nights of violence in London and other cities to mend what it has described as Britain’s broken society.