elite
military brigades, known as the Khamis Brigade, a unit with a
notorious
reputation for brutality.
The National Transitional Council in Benghazi says that it has now taken control of key parts of a major pipeline network south of Tripoli, known as the Great Man-Made River. It's hoped that the water supply can be restored to the capital soon. Since Tripoli fell to anti-Gaddafi forces, the city has had no running water and little electricity.
As violence continues in Syria, the head of the Arab League says that he plans to visit this week to express concern about months of bloodshed. The Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi said that the government in Damascus had agreed to his trip. Owen Bennett-Jones reports from neighbouring Lebanon.
The secretary general of the Arab League said that the Syrian government had told him it would welcome a visit. Nabil al-Arabi has said that he will be going to Damascus to listen, but he will also be carrying a critical message. The Arab League has publicly spoken of the Syrian people's legitimate aspirations for political and social reform. Together with EU and US sanctions, and critical statements from Turkey and even Iran, it means President Bashar al-Assad is increasingly isolated.
In the latest unrest, Syrian state media reported that nine people were killed in an ambush near the city of Hama. Pro-democracy activists say 12 demonstrators were killed elsewhere.