Libya rebels take casualties in Zliten advance

BENGHAZI, Libya (AFP) - Libyan rebel troops advancing into the loyalist stronghold of Zliten said on Sunday they lost one fighter and had 32 wounded by landmines laid by Moamer Kadhafi's retreating troops.

Insurgents pressing out westward from the long-besieged city of Misrata said the ordnance was laid by Kadhafi loyalists falling back from their positions around Zliten.

"One of our fighters became a martyr and 32 others were hurt after an anti-personnel mine was placed by the forces of Moamer Kadhafi in their old positions in the Suq al-Thulatha neighbourhood of Zliten," the rebels said in a statement to AFP.

Zliten, once considered a bastion of Kadhafi forces, is a key link on the road from rebel-held Misrata to the capital Tripoli.

© 2011 AFP