Outgunned rebels stand up to Gadhafi onslaught
Tripoli, Libya (CNN) — Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi’s regime announced a large reward Wednesday for the capture of a top opposition figure, branding him “an agent spy.”
Weeks ago, that opposition figure — Mustafa Abdul-Jalil — was the country’s justice minister.
In an “urgent” banner on state television, the government said its General Administration for Criminal Investigation offers half a million Libyan dinars ($410,900 U.S.) “for whoever captures and hands over” the “agent spy” Abdul-Jalil, and “another offer of 200,000 Libyan dinars ($164,300 U.S.) for whoever offers information leading to his actual arrest.”
After the uprising began February 15, Abdul-Jalil was among the government officials who broke with the regime. He went on to lead the opposition’s National Transitional Council, a 31-member group representing most regions in Libya. The group has met in Benghazi, an eastern town that has become an opposition stronghold.
The move to target Abdul-Jalil came as Gadhafi fought to advance against rebels who have taken control of many parts of the country. On Wednesday, pro-Gadhafi forces launched fresh attacks on Ras Lanuf, using planes and heavy artillery in an effort to retake the eastern oil city.
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