Libya

Gaddafi's Forces Take Ras Lanuf

As no-fly zone looks less likely.

Things aren't looking good for the Libyan rebels, who were pushed by Gaddafi's forces to the outskirts of the oil town of Ras Lanuf on Saturday. There has been intense fighting in Ras Lanuf for several days, and government planes have bombed the refinery and rebel checkpoint. Earlier this week, Gaddafi's forces took back the town of Zawiya. As the rebels lose ground to pro-Gaddafi forces, they've been asking the international community to impose a no-fly zone: "The Libyans are being cleansed by Gaddafi's air force. We asked for a no-fly zone to be imposed from day one, we also want a sea embargo," said Mustafa Abdel-Jalil, head of the National Libyan Council. Although President Obama said “we are slowly tightening the noose on Gaddafi,” and that he hasn't “taken any options off the table,” prospects for a no-fly zone looked less likely following a meeting of the European Union in Brussels. The Arab League is meeting in Cairo to discuss the possibility of a no-fly zone.