Libya on edge as Gaddafi forces fight back in west

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BENGHAZI, Feb 25, (agencies): Libya was on edge Friday as forces loyal to Moammar Gaddafi crumbling regime staged a bloody fight back in western towns near Tripoli, as the east declared itself free of his iron-fisted rule. Outraged Western governments scrambled to craft a collective response to the crisis in the oil-rich North African state, including possible sanctions against Gaddafi's remaining loyalists and a freeze on assets they are believed to have salted away abroad. But governments were constrained by fears of reprisals against nationals still stranded amid what escaping expatriates described as hellish scenes as evacuation efforts dragged on the 11th day of the crisis. In Az-Zawiyah, west of Tripoli, 23 people were killed and 44 wounded Thursday when regime loyalists mounted a ferocious rearguard action against protesters in the key oil refinery town, Libya's Quryna paper reported. Heavy fighting was also reported in Libya's third city Misrata, to the west of capital. In Zouara, further west towards the Tunisian border, fleeing Egyptian workers said the town was in the control of civilian militias after fierce fighting on Wednesday evening. In Tripoli, the streets have been largely deserted in recent days but worshippers were expected to turn out at the mosques for the main weekly prayers on Friday, the Muslim day of rest and also a traditional day of protest. Effigies apparently of Gaddafi hung from street lamps in the eastern city and children played on top of an abandoned tank. Police stations had been gutted by fire but residents said there had been no looting. Meanwhile: Libyans braced for mass protests Friday as the rebel movement called for a new push to oust Moammar Gaddafi after a day of fierce fighting in which rebels made new gains and advanced closer to his stronghold in Tripoli while pro-government forces attacked two nearby cities in battles that killed at least 17 people. International momentum also has been building for action to punish Gadhafi's regime for the bloodshed. Meanwhile: World leaders Friday were pressing for action against Moammar Gaddafi as the Libyan strongman's brutal crackdown on a nationwide revolt escalated, with reports of thousands killed and wounded. France and Britain have proposed the UN Security Council pass a resolution calling for sanctions and a total arms embargo against Libya ahead of its meeting later to discuss the crisis, France's top diplomat said. Meanwhile: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez praised Libya's "independence" Thursday, saying longtime strongman Moammar Gaddafi is facing a civil war in his country.