Libyan rebels trying to isolate Gadhafi

Associated Press

ZAWIYA, Libya

Libya’s rebels threatened to isolate Tripoli by blocking key supply routes and cutting oil pipelines Monday after a dramatic weekend advance put them in the strongest position since the 6-month-old civil war began to attack Moammar Gadhafi’s stronghold.

In Washington, the Obama administration said the U.S. was encouraged by the rebel advances and hoped they had broken a months-long stalemate with Gadhafi’s forces.

“We are closing the roads for Gadhafi so there is no way for him to bring anything to Tripoli,” a rebel field commander, Jumma Dardira, told The Associated Press.

The rebels’ push into the strategic city of Zawiya on Saturday brought them within 30 miles of Tripoli, the closest they ever have gotten.

Also Monday, U.S. defense officials said Libyan government forces tapped into their stores of Scud missiles this weekend, firing one for the first time in this year’s conflict with rebels, but hurting no one.

The missile launch was detected by U.S. forces shortly after midnight Sunday, and the Scud landed in the desert about 50 miles outside Brega, said one official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations.