Libya rebels face offensive by Gadhafi forces

BENGHAZI, Libya - Rebels defended their positions on Monday in key western towns in the face of an offensive by Libyan leader Mummar Gadhafi's troops, holding on to strategic Bir Ghanam but suffering casualties in Zliten.

The rebels admitted they were running low on ammunition as they struggled to hold off an assault by loyalist forces in the town of Zliten, some 120 kilometers east of the capital Tripoli.

Abdul Wahab Melitan, a rebel spokesman in the port city of Misrata near Zliten, said forces loyal to Gadhafi had on Sunday launched an assault on their positions in the Souk Telat area, killing three and wounding 15.