Rebels Appeal for No-Fly Zone

Updated 12 noon est


There are reports of a slaughter today in the Western Libyan city of Zawiyah. 

At least 13 people were killed in Zawiyah, Al Arabiya television reported, citing a doctor. CNN put the death toll at 15, with at least 200 other people wounded.

AlJazeera reported there were about 1,000 anti-Gadhafi protesters in Tripoli. They were dispersed by police, who fired rubber bullets and tear gas.

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Libyan rebels pushing forward with their offensive to topple Moammar Gadhafi are asking Western powers to provide them with cover from air attacks by forces loyal to the despotic regime, according to reports on the ground in Libya.

So far, however, there seems to be more stomach for air support for the Libyan rebels in Congress than the White House, as the L.A. Times reports.

Meanwhile, some 400 US Marines were pre-positioned Thursday to a US base on the Greek Island of Crete.