20110325
reuters

NEAR AJDABIYAH, Libya (Reuters) - Libyan rebels were massing near Ajdabiyah on Friday for a new push after Muammar Gaddafi's forces in the strategic eastern town refused a ceasefire offer.

A Reuters reporter arriving near the front line passed four trucks carrying multiple rocket launchers and many pick-ups mounted with heavy machine guns after British Tornado planes struck government military vehicles in Ajdabiyah overnight.

Rebel forces fired steady bursts of artillery at Gaddafi's forces from their positions outside the town.

Ibrahim Faraj, a member of the rebel military council, told Reuters that local tribal elders had held talks with Gaddafi's forces in Ajdabiyah early on Friday and demanded they surrender.

"The rebels said 'you must withdraw and leave your weapons and you will not be harmed'. They refused. That is why we plan to advance with heavy weapons," said Faraj.

The rebel forces appeared to be better organised than in previous days, with new roadblocks heading towards Ajdabiyah watched over by troops communicating with each other by phone.

"This (the British strikes) will weaken their (Gaddafi's) forces and more importantly their morale. We expect Ajdabiyah will be liberated today or tomorrow," rebel spokesman Mustafa Gheriani told reporters in the rebel stronghold of Benghazi.

He denied the rebels at the frontline were negotiating with the Gaddafi forces for them to pull back and said they had been told they must lay down their weapons and surrender.