Fighting in Libya spills over border into Tunisia

Associated Press

TRIPOLI, Libya

A battle between Libyan troops and rebels spilled over the western border into Tunisia on Friday, drawing a sharp rebuke of Moammar Gadhafi’s regime from the neighboring government.

Clashes along the Tunisian border have escalated since Thursday, posing a new challenge for Gadhafi within the western half of the country where he must consolidate his control to cling to power. Rebels captured most of the east early on in the uprising against Gadhafi that began in February.

On the other major front in western Libya, NATO foiled attempts by regime loyalists to close the only access route to the besieged rebel city of Misrata, intercepting boats that were laying anti-ship mines in the waters around the port. The port is the only lifeline for the city of 300,000.