Anti-Gadhafi forces also seize refinery near Tripoli
Officials from the Libyan Transitional National Council took control of the country’s U.S. embassy Wednesday, while rebel fighters from the same group seized a key oil refinery from soldiers loyal to Moamar Gadhafi. Most Western countries, including Canada and the U.S., recognize the TNC as Libya’s official government. But the group remains mired in combat back home and is struggling to pry loose billions in Gadhafi assets frozen by international sanctions. By claiming the refinery, which sits in the port town of Zawiyah, 50 kilometers from Tripoli, the rebels hope to move closer to an end game in the six-month conflict, either by forcing Gaddafi into exile of completely routing his forces.