G8 refuses to agree upon a no-fly zone in Libya

Muammar Gaddafis forces seized a strategic town in eastern Libya on Tuesday, opening the way to the rebel stronghold of Benghazi while world powers failed to agree to push for a no-fly zone. Libyan state television said the people of Zuwarah came out in mass demonstrations in support of Gaddafi on Tuesday and residents in the town said security forces were trying to round up anyone suspected of links to the rebels.The small town of Ajdabiyah was all that stood between the relentless eastward advance of Libyan government troops and the city of Benghazi, a rebel stronghold that Gaddafi forces could attempt to encircle. Gaddafis planes, tanks and artillery have had few problems picking off lightly armed insurgents in the open desert, but have faced tougher resistance in towns that offer some cover for the rebels.Foreign ministers from the Group of Eight countries (G8) meeting in Paris could not agree to press the UN Security Council to back a no-fly zone to protect Libyan cities from aerial bombing.