Libya FM defects, rebels lose more ground

Libyan FM Moussa Koussa is in Britain and says he is "no longer willing" to work for Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime, RFE/RL reports. A British Foreign Office statement said that Koussa "has told us that he is resigning his post." Libya FM defects, rebels lose more ground The Foreign Office said Koussa flew into an airport near the capital on March 30. He has subsequently spent hours talking to British officials. Washington quickly hailed Koussa's departure as a major blow to the Gaddafi regime. Koussa's defection comes as rebels in Libya are retreating from former strongholds along the eastern coast after advances by forces loyal to Gaddafi, as world powers consider arming outgunned rebel forces. Loyalists supported by tanks and artillery reached the outskirts of Ajdabiya, some 160 kilometers east of the rebels' main stronghold of Benghazi, after retaking the oil hubs of Ras Lanuf, Uqayla, and Brega. A rebel guards the front line on the road between Ajdabiyah and Brega on March 31. Gaddafi's latest counteroffensive came after rebel forces on March 29 had advanced to within 100 kilometers of Sirte, aided by coalition air strikes. In the west, loyalists were still besieging the rebel-held town of Misurata. The United States and Britain say they have not ruled out arming the rebels. Meanwhile, NATO says it has taken over all air operations over Libya. Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the alliance assumed sole command of all air operations over Libya earlier today. The mission includes enforcement of the no-fly zone, maintaining an arms embargo on Libya, and the protection of civilians from attacks by Gaddafi's troops. Libyan rebels leaving Ras Lanuf (Beta/AP)

Libya FM defects, rebels lose more ground

The Foreign Office said Koussa flew into an airport near the capital on March 30. He has subsequently spent hours talking to British officials.

Washington quickly hailed Koussa's departure as a major blow to the Gaddafi regime.

Koussa's defection comes as rebels in Libya are retreating from former strongholds along the eastern coast after advances by forces loyal to Gaddafi, as world powers consider arming outgunned rebel forces.

Loyalists supported by tanks and artillery reached the outskirts of Ajdabiya, some 160 kilometers east of the rebels' main stronghold of Benghazi, after retaking the oil hubs of Ras Lanuf, Uqayla, and Brega.

A rebel guards the front line on the road between Ajdabiyah and Brega on March 31.
Gaddafi's latest counteroffensive came after rebel forces on March 29 had advanced to within 100 kilometers of Sirte, aided by coalition air strikes.

In the west, loyalists were still besieging the rebel-held town of Misurata.

The United States and Britain say they have not ruled out arming the rebels.

Meanwhile, NATO says it has taken over all air operations over Libya.

Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the alliance assumed sole command of all air operations over Libya earlier today.

The mission includes enforcement of the no-fly zone, maintaining an arms embargo on Libya, and the protection of civilians from attacks by Gaddafi's troops.