‘We want a free Libya, in peace and democracy without Gaddafi,’

‘We want a free Libya, in peace and democracy without Gaddafi,’

Rebels ‘tricked’ by Gaddafi troops

In Addis Ababa, the US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, on Monday pressed all African states to demand Gaddafi step down and take tougher action against his regime.

          Hillary also urged African countries to expel Gaddafi’s diplomats and increase their support for the opposition, saying their words and actions can help bring peace to Libya.

          Rebels said they suffered heavy losses in eastern Libya after being ‘tricked’ by Muammar Gaddafi’s forces, as the US pressed Africa to take tougher action against the strongman’s regime.

The rebels meanwhile gained another diplomatic boost when Germany recognised their National Transitional Council as the ‘legitimate representative’ of the Libyan people.

          ‘Our men were tricked. Gaddafi’s soldiers pretended to surrender, coming with a white flag, and then they fired on us,’ Mussa al-Mograbi said.

Mograbi added that four of his men were killed and 30 wounded in a skirmish the previous day.

Senegal and Gambia are the only African states to have recognised the NTC as the legitimate interlocutor of the Libyan people.

 Rebels said ‘We want a free Libya, in peace and democracy without Gaddafi,’ he added.

          ‘Such political gains are key to the revolt and prove that Gaddafi’s regime has finished,’ he said.

Libya’s foreign ministry however denounced the visit as a ‘violation’ of Tripoli’s sovereignty.