Gaddafi's forces enter Benghazi as U.S., allies prepare military action against Libya

washingtonpost.com
Breaking News Alert: Gaddafi’s forces enter Benghazi as U.S., allies prepare military action against Libya


March 19, 2011 6:30:08 AM
----------------------------------------
Forces led by Moammar Gaddafi entered the eastern rebel stronghold of Benghazi Saturday after airstrikes and fierce fighting as the United States and its allies prepared to launch military attacks on Libya.

A warplane was shot down over Benghazi. Government troops — some reportedly in tanks -- entered Benghazi from the west, in the university area. The city of 1 million quickly became a ghost town, with residents fleeing or seeking cover in barricaded neighborhoods. A Washington Post reporter saw the aircraft go down in flames. It was not known who shot it down.

On Friday, President Obama warned that the Libyan leader faced imminent military action unless his troops were withdrawn from all disputed cities in the country. But assaults on rebel-held towns continued despite government promises of a cease-fire.

http://link.email.washingtonpost.com/r/O914NF/ZB0QNU/22WPX3/UWOR93/DL841/SN/h
For more information, visit washingtonpost.com
----------------------------------------
Get closer to the story. Download The Washington Post app for iPad.
http://itunes.com/app/thewashingtonpostforipad
----------------------------------------