TRIPOLI, Libya, May 29 (UPI) -- Territory held by Libyan rebels came under heavy fire Sunday by government forces loyal to Col. Moammar Gadhafi, a rebel spokesman said.
The government offensive targeted rebel-held positions about 25 miles west of the northeastern oil port city of Misurata, the spokesman told CNN.
Gadhafi forces used heavy artillery and rebels returned fire. A medic for the rebels said at least 25 men had been injured, but there was no immediate report of deaths.
There was no report from Libyan officials on military deaths or injuries.
There was also no indication if NATO would respond with airstrikes on the Libyan artillery positions.
In late March, NATO was authorized by the United Nations Security Council to use air and naval resources to protect civilians from attack by Libyan forces.
The U.N. resolutions denounced Gadhafi's use of force against his own people amid international calls for him to end his 42-year dictatorship and step down.
NATO said in a release since March 31, it had conducted a total of 8,729 air sorties, 3,327 of which were bombing attacks.
There also are 20 ships under NATO command patrolling the Mediterranean Sea as part of an arms embargo and to ensure humanitarian aid can arrive safely, the alliance said.
