Gaddafi steps up assault on rebels across Libya

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BENGHAZI, Libya (AFP): Muammar Gaddafi's troops unleashed a salvo of Grad rockets on towns in Libya's western mountains, and destroyed key fuel supplies in Misrata, aggravating a desperate humanitarian crisis in the besieged city. The rebels, meanwhile, said Italy will supply them with weapons which Rome hastened to explain comprised "self-defence material", while 40 advisers from Britain, France and Italy were reportedly turning untrained insurgents into a fighting force in Benghazi. At least nine rebels were killed and 50 wounded in fierce clashes in the northwestern town of Zintan Saturday as forces loyal to the Libyan strongman pressed the insurgents on several fronts.