In Libya, rebel forces today stormed towards Brega, the strategic oil city, while Gadaffi’s army re-entered Misrata. At least 50 people including rebels, government troops and civilians have been killed in fresh clashes in different cities. The rebels moved heavier weapons and a top commander towards Brega, seeking to break a stalemate against Muammar Gaddafi’s better-equipped army. Brega has been taken and retaken by insurgents and Gaddafi’s forces in recent weeks. Warplanes flew over Brega, followed by heavy bombardment. A rebel spokesman said in the western part of the country, Gaddafi’s forces stormed the rebel outpost of Misrata with tanks and artillery. Heavily-armed rebels were also moving from Benghazi towards Ajdabiyah to the south. The rebels swore that their capital Benghazi was secure and there was no risk of Gaddafi’s forces retaking it. In Tripoli heavy gunfire rang out near Gaddafi’s compound for about 20 minutes before dawn and residents said they saw snipers on rooftops and heard distant chanting or shouting. Meanwhile, the bombing campaign by Western-led forces, co-ordinated by NATO since Thursday, was hampered by sandstorms and fears of civilian casualties. NATO took over air strikes as well as enforcement of the UN-mandated no-fly zone and arms embargo, replacing a coalition led by the United States, France and Britain. NATO officials said sandstorms had an impact on initial operations, limiting the alliance's ability to identify air strike targets.