LIBYA

NATO: Gaddafi Using Human Shields

Parking tanks among civilians in Misrata.

Sadly, this isn't surprising: NATO officials have accused Libya's army of using civilian shields in the besieged town of Misrata, parking tanks and military equipment among civilian-populated areas to protect them from coalition airstrikes. The tactics, and others, seem to be working: Libyan rebels have been forced to retreat from Brega and return to their stronghold of Ajdabiya, just a day after taking over the city’s residential quarter. They reported that Gaddafi’s forces were more aggressive than they have been recently. It’s not all bad news for rebels, though. Rebels are expected to fill two tankers with Libyan crude for shipping today, which could provide an infusion of millions of dollars of cash for their effort. Meanwhile, the capital, Tripoli, is reportedly enduring fuel shortages and low morale.