Libyan rebels say airstrike of 13 of their own-Seattle Post Intelligencer killed

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Libyan rebels say airstrike killed 13 of their own BEN HUBBARD, Associated Press, RYAN LUCAS, Associated Press Updated 05:08?p.m., Saturday, April 2, 2011

View: Larger | Hide Graphic shows U.S. opinion of President Obama and Libya. AP-Gfk poll conducted in days leading up to the president's speech.Photo: W. Castello/ APGraphic shows U.S. opinion of President Obama and Libya. AP-Gfk... In this photo released by China's Xinhua news agency, heavy smoke rises over the Tajoura area, some 30 km east of Tripoli, Libya, after an airstrike on Tuesday March 29, 2011. (Xinhua/Hamza Turkia)Photo: AP/ APIn this photo released by China's Xinhua news agency, heavy smoke... In this photo released by China's Xinhua news agency, heavy smoke rises over the Tajoura area, some 30 km east of Tripoli, Libya, after an airstrike on Tuesday March 29, 2011. (Xinhua/Hamza Turkia)Photo: AP/ APIn this photo released by China's Xinhua news agency, heavy smoke... In this photo released by China's Xinhua news agency, heavy smoke rises over the Tajoura area, some 30 km east of Tripoli, Libya, after an airstrike on Tuesday March 29, 2011. (Xinhua/Hamza Turkia)Photo: AP/ APIn this photo released by China's Xinhua news agency, heavy smoke... A Libyan rebel checks a rocket launcher mounted on top of a pickup truck after retreating back east, at the outskirts of the town of al-Agila, Libya Wednesday, March 30, 2011. Moammar Gadhafi's ground forces recaptured a strategic oil town Wednesday and were close to taking a second, making new inroads in beating back a rebel advance toward the capital Tripoli.Photo: Nasser Nasser/ APA Libyan rebel checks a rocket launcher mounted on top of a pickup... A Libyan rebel carries machine gun as fighters gather on the main road after retreating back east, at the outskirts of the town of al-Agila, Libya Wednesday, March 30, 2011. Moammar Gadhafi's ground forces recaptured a strategic oil town Wednesday and were close to taking a second, making new inroads in beating back a rebel advance toward the capital Tripoli.Photo: Nasser Nasser/ APA Libyan rebel carries machine gun as fighters gather on the main... Libyan rebels gather on the main road while retreating back east, at the outskirts of the town of al-Agila, Libya Wednesday, March 30, 2011. Moammar Gadhafi's ground forces recaptured a strategic oil town Wednesday and were close to taking a second, making new inroads in beating back a rebel advance toward the capital Tripoli.Photo: Nasser Nasser/ APLibyan rebels gather on the main road while retreating back east,... A Libyan rebel arms ammunitions after retreating back east at the outskirts of the town of al-Agila, Libya Wednesday, March 30, 2011. Moammar Gadhafi's ground forces recaptured a strategic oil town Wednesday and were close to taking a second, making new inroads in beating back a rebel advance toward the capital Tripoli.Photo: Nasser Nasser/ APA Libyan rebel arms ammunitions after retreating back east at the... Libyan rebels ride in a convoy leaving Ras Lanouf, Libya, Wednesday, March 30, 2011. Moammar Gadhafi's ground forces recaptured a strategic oil town Wednesday and were close to taking a second, making new inroads in beating back a rebel advance toward the capital Tripoli.Photo: STR/ APLibyan rebels ride in a convoy leaving Ras Lanouf, Libya,... Libyan rebels in a car and a truck leave Ras Lanouf, Libya, Wednesday, March 30, 2011. Moammar Gadhafi's ground forces recaptured a strategic oil town Wednesday and were close to taking a second, making new inroads in beating back a rebel advance toward the capital Tripoli.Photo: STR/ APLibyan rebels in a car and a truck leave Ras Lanouf, Libya,... Libyan rebels in a car and a truck with a mounted weapons system leave Ras Lanouf, Libya, Wednesday, March 30, 2011. Moammar Gadhafi's ground forces recaptured a strategic oil town Wednesday and were close to taking a second, making new inroads in beating back a rebel advance toward the capital Tripoli. The writing on the truck, in Arabic, reads: " Misrata is still free."Photo: STR/ APLibyan rebels in a car and a truck with a mounted weapons system... Libyan rebels ride at the back of anarmed pickup truck while retreating back east, at the outskirts of the town of al-Agila, Libya Wednesday, March 30, 2011. Moammar Gadhafi's ground forces recaptured a strategic oil town Wednesday and were close to taking a second, making new inroads in beating back a rebel advance toward the capital Tripoli.Photo: Nasser Nasser/ APLibyan rebels ride at the back of anarmed pickup truck while... Libyan rebels armed vehicles retreating back east, drive through the outskirts of the town of al-Agila, Libya toward Brega Wednesday, March 30, 2011. Moammar Gadhafi's ground forces recaptured a strategic oil town Wednesday and were close to taking a second, making new inroads in beating back a rebel advance toward the capital Tripoli.Photo: Nasser Nasser/ APLibyan rebels armed vehicles retreating back east, drive through... Libyan rebels are seen through a pre-Gadhafi flag while gathering on the main road after retreating back east, at the outskirts of the town of al-Agila, Libya Wednesday, March 30, 2011. Moammar Gadhafi's ground forces recaptured a strategic oil town Wednesday and were close to taking a second, making new inroads in beating back a rebel advance toward the capital Tripoli.Photo: Nasser Nasser/ APLibyan rebels are seen through a pre-Gadhafi flag while gathering... Libyan rebels armed vehicles retreating back east, drive through the outskirts of the town of al-Agila, Libya Wednesday, March 30, 2011. Moammar Gadhafi's ground forces recaptured a strategic oil town Wednesday and were close to taking a second, making new inroads in beating back a rebel advance toward the capital Tripoli.Photo: Nasser Nasser/ APLibyan rebels armed vehicles retreating back east, drive through... File - Libya's Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa speaks to the media at a hotel in Tripoli, Libya in this Monday, March 7, 2011 file photo. Libya's foreign minister has left Tunisia for London after a two-day visit shrouded in secrecy, Tunisia's official news agency said Wednesday, March 30 2011. Moussa Koussa traveled on an early afternoon flight on an unidentified Swiss carrier from the Tunisian resort of Djerba toward the British capital, the TAP news agency reported.Photo: Ben Curtis/ APFile - Libya's Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa speaks to the media... A Libyan child walks with a Libyan pre-Gadhafi flag during an evening demonstration in Benghazi, Libya, Wednesday, March 30, 2011. Rebels retreated Wednesday from the key Libyan oil port of Ras Lanouf along the coastal road leading to the capital Tripoli after they came under heavy shelling from ground forces loyal to leader Moammar Gadhafi.Photo: Altaf Qadri/ APA Libyan child walks with a Libyan pre-Gadhafi flag during an... Libyan boys flash victory signs as they wave Libyan pre-Gadhafi flags while riding a pickup truck in Benghazi, Libya, Wednesday, March 30, 2011. Rebels retreated Wednesday from the key Libyan oil port of Ras Lanouf along the coastal road leading to the capital Tripoli after they came under heavy shelling from ground forces loyal to leader Moammar Gadhafi. In a dramatic move Libya's Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa arrived in the UK late Wednesday and is resigning from his post, according to Britain's Foreign Office.Photo: Altaf Qadri/ APLibyan boys flash victory signs as they wave Libyan pre-Gadhafi... An armed Libyan rebel and other people shout slogans during a demonstration in Benghazi, Libya, Wednesday, March 30, 2011. Rebels retreated Wednesday from the key Libyan oil port of Ras Lanouf along the coastal road leading to the capital Tripoli after they came under heavy shelling from ground forces loyal to leader Moammar Gadhafi.Photo: Altaf Qadri/ APAn armed Libyan rebel and other people shout slogans during a... File - Libya's Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa reads a statement to foreign journalists at a hotel in in Tripoli, in this Friday March 18, 2011 file photo. Libya's foreign minister has left Tunisia for London after a two-day visit shrouded in secrecy, Tunisia's official news agency said Wednesday, March 30 2011. Moussa Koussa traveled on an early afternoon flight on an unidentified Swiss carrier from the Tunisian resort of Djerba toward the British capital, the TAP news agency reported.Photo: Jerome Delay/ APFile - Libya's Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa reads a statement to... File - Libya's Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa speaks to the media at a hotel in Tripoli, Libya in this Monday, March 7, 2011 file photo. Libya's foreign minister has left Tunisia for London after a two-day visit shrouded in secrecy, Tunisia's official news agency said Wednesday, March 30 2011. Moussa Koussa traveled on an early afternoon flight on an unidentified Swiss carrier from the Tunisian resort of Djerba toward the British capital, the TAP news agency reported.Photo: Ben Curtis/ APFile - Libya's Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa speaks to the media... Map includes sites of recent eventsPhoto: AP/ APMap includes sites of recent events Map provides an update of recent events in LibyaPhoto: AP/ APMap provides an update of recent events in Libya Libyan rebels fire rockets at troops loyal to Libyan leaderMoammar Gadhafi on the road between Ajdabiya and Brega, Libya, Thursday, March 31, 2011. An important Libyan oil town became a no man's land Thursday as rebels to the east traded rocket and mortar fire with Gadhafi's forces to the west.Photo: STR/ APLibyan rebels fire rockets at troops loyal to Libyan leaderMoammar... A Libyan rebel plugs his ears as rebels fire a rocket at troops loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi on the road between Ajdabiya and Brega, Libya, Thursday, March 31, 2011. An important Libyan oil town became a no man's land Thursday as rebels to the east traded rocket and mortar fire with Gadhafi's forces to the west.Photo: STR/ APA Libyan rebel plugs his ears as rebels fire a rocket at troops... Libyan rebels pray in the road between Ajdabiya and Brega, Libya, Thursday, March 31, 2011. An important Libyan oil town became a no man's land Thursday as rebels to the east traded rocket and mortar fire with Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's forces to the west.Photo: AP/ APLibyan rebels pray in the road between Ajdabiya and Brega, Libya,... Smoke from explosions billows on the road between Ajdabiya and Brega, Libya, as rebels clashed with troops loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, Thursday, March 31, 2011. An important Libyan oil town became a no man's land Thursday as rebels to the east traded rocket and mortar fire with Gadhafi's forces to the west.Photo: STR/ APSmoke from explosions billows on the road between Ajdabiya and... The headquarters of the British Secret Intelligence Service or MI6, is seen on the bank of the River Thames in London, Thursday, March, 31, 2011. Britain isn't offering apparently defecting Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa diplomatic immunity as it seeks to further undermine Moammar Gadhafi's regime. British Foreign Secretary William Hague says the resignation of Moussa Koussa, one of the most senior members of Gadhafi's government, shows the Libyan leader's regime is "fragmented, under pressure and crumbling."Photo: Alastair Grant/ APThe headquarters of the British Secret Intelligence Service or MI6,... The headquarters of the British Secret Intelligence Service or MI6, is seen on the bank of the River Thames in London, Thursday, March, 31, 2011. Britain isn't offering apparently defecting Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa diplomatic immunity as it seeks to further undermine Moammar Gadhafi's regime. British Foreign Secretary William Hague says the resignation of Moussa Koussa, one of the most senior members of Gadhafi's government, shows the Libyan leader's regime is "fragmented, under pressure and crumbling."Photo: Alastair Grant/ APThe headquarters of the British Secret Intelligence Service or MI6,... A view of the main entrance sign for the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office is seen in central London, Thursday, March, 31, 2011. Britain isn't offering apparently defecting Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa diplomatic immunity as it seeks to further undermine Moammar Gadhafi's regime. British Foreign Secretary William Hague says the resignation of Moussa Koussa, one of the most senior members of Gadhafi's government, shows the Libyan leader's regime is "fragmented, under pressure and crumbling."Photo: Alastair Grant/ APA view of the main entrance sign for the British Foreign and... Libyan rebels fire rocket launchers toward pro Gadhafi forces, along the front line outside the eastern town of Brega, Libya Thursday, March 31, 2011. Libya conceded Thursday that Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa had resigned but claimed that it was a personal decision driven by health problems, not a sign that the embattled regime is cracking at the highest levels.Photo: Nasser Nasser/ APLibyan rebels fire rocket launchers toward pro Gadhafi forces,... A Libyan rebel shells pro Gadhafi forces with mortar fire, along the front line outside the eastern town of Brega, Libya Thursday, March 31, 2011. Libya conceded Thursday that Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa had resigned but claimed that it was a personal decision driven by health problems, not a sign that the embattled regime is cracking at the highest levels.Photo: Nasser Nasser/ APA Libyan rebel shells pro Gadhafi forces with mortar fire, along... Libyan rebels inspect a vehicle that was damaged during clashes with pro Gadhafi forces, along the front line outside the eastern town of Brega, Libya Thursday, March 31, 2011. Libya conceded Thursday that Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa had resigned but claimed that it was a personal decision driven by health problems, not a sign that the embattled regime is cracking at the highest levels.Photo: Nasser Nasser/ APLibyan rebels inspect a vehicle that was damaged during clashes... Libyan rebels inspect a vehicle that was damaged during clashes with pro Gadhafi forces, along the front line outside the eastern town of Brega, Libya Thursday, March 31, 2011. Libya conceded Thursday that Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa had resigned but claimed that it was a personal decision driven by health problems, not a sign that the embattled regime is cracking at the highest levels.Photo: Nasser Nasser/ APLibyan rebels inspect a vehicle that was damaged during clashes... A boy playing in a boat parked on land reaches up to try and touch a string of flags, both of which are in the colors of the pre-Gadhafi era Libyan flag now used by the opposition, on the corniche in Benghazi, Libya Friday, April 1, 2011. Libya's rebels will agree to a cease-fire if Moammar Gadhafi pulls his military forces out of cities and allows peaceful protests against his regime, an opposition leader said Friday.Photo: Ben Curtis/ APA boy playing in a boat parked on land reaches up to try and touch... A Libyan rebel fighter sits near to the western gate of Ajdabiya, Libya, Friday, April 1, 2011, as limited movement is being permitted across the frontier. The western gate is closed Friday for journalists and civilians trying to reach the front line.Photo: Nasser Nasser/ APA Libyan rebel fighter sits near to the western gate of Ajdabiya,... Libyan rebels rest next to an anti aircraft gun that is positioned by the western gate of Ajdabiya, Libya, on Friday, April 1, 2011.Photo: Nasser Nasser/ APLibyan rebels rest next to an anti aircraft gun that is positioned... A Libyan rebel passes through the western gate of Ajdabiya, Libya on Friday, April 1, 2011. The western gate is closed for journalists and civilians trying to reach the front line of the conflict in Libya.Photo: Nasser Nasser/ APA Libyan rebel passes through the western gate of Ajdabiya, Libya... An Libyan rebel carrying a machine gun waits to be allowed to cross the closed western gate of Ajdabiya, Libya as journalists and civilians try to reach the front line on Friday, April 1, 2011.Photo: Nasser Nasser/ APAn Libyan rebel carrying a machine gun waits to be allowed to cross... U.N. envoy Abdelilah Al-Khatib, left, and Mustafa Abdul-Jalil, right, head of the opposition's interim governing council based in Benghazi, attend a joint press conference in Benghazi, Libya Friday, April 1, 2011. Libya's rebels will agree to a cease-fire if Moammar Gadhafi pulls his military forces out of cities and allows peaceful protests against his regime, the opposition leader said Friday.Photo: Ben Curtis/ APU.N. envoy Abdelilah Al-Khatib, left, and Mustafa Abdul-Jalil,... A man cheers as speakers address the crowd after Friday prayers on the corniche in Benghazi, Libya Friday, April 1, 2011. Libya's rebels will agree to a cease-fire if Moammar Gadhafi pulls his military forces out of cities and allows peaceful protests against his regime, opposition leader Mustafa Abdul-Jalil, said Friday.Photo: Ben Curtis/ APA man cheers as speakers address the crowd after Friday prayers on... Libyans shout slogans as they wave Libyan pre-Gadhafi flags during a demonstration in Benghazi, Libya, Thursday, March 31, 2011Photo: Altaf Qadri/ APLibyans shout slogans as they wave Libyan pre-Gadhafi flags during... A Libyan rebel with a dual Libyan and U.S. nationality, living in Colorado, scans the front line with his binoculars near Brega, Libya, Friday, April 1, 2011. Libya's rebels will agree to a cease-fire if Moammar Gadhafi pulls his military forces out of cities and allows peaceful protests against his regime, an opposition leader said Friday as rebels showed signs that their front-line organization is improving.Photo: Altaf Qadri/ APA Libyan rebel with a dual Libyan and U.S. nationality, living in... A Libyan rebel holds a rocket launcher on his shoulder as he looks towards the position of pro Gadhafi forces along the front line near Brega, Libya, Friday, April 1, 2011Photo: Altaf Qadri/ APA Libyan rebel holds a rocket launcher on his shoulder as he looks... the body of a Libyan rebel lies on a ground as others run for cover after coming under heavy artillery fire from pro-Gadhafi forces along the front line near Brega, Libya, Friday, April 1, 2011. Libya's rebels will agree to a cease-fire if Moammar Gadhafi pulls his military forces out of cities and allows peaceful protests against his regime, an opposition leader said Friday as rebels showed signs that their front-line organization is improving.Photo: Altaf Qadri/ APthe body of a Libyan rebel lies on a ground as others run for cover... Libyan rebels run for cover after coming under heavy artillery fire from pro-Gadhafi forces along the front line near Brega, Libya, Friday, April 1, 2011. Libya's rebels will agree to a cease-fire if Moammar Gadhafi pulls his military forces out of cities and allows peaceful protests against his regime, an opposition leader said Friday as rebels showed signs that their front-line organization is improving.Photo: Altaf Qadri/ APLibyan rebels run for cover after coming under heavy artillery fire... the body of a Libyan rebel, killed in an attack, is loaded onto a pickup truck at the front line near Brega, Libya, Friday, April 1, 2011. Libya's rebels will agree to a cease-fire if Moammar Gadhafi pulls his military forces out of cities and allows peaceful protests against his regime, an opposition leader said Friday as rebels showed signs that their front-line organization is improving.Photo: Altaf Qadri/ APthe body of a Libyan rebel, killed in an attack, is loaded onto a... Libyan rebels run for cover after coming under heavy artillery fire from pro-Gadhafi forces along the front line near Brega, Libya, Friday, April 1, 2011. Libya's rebels will agree to a cease-fire if Moammar Gadhafi pulls his military forces out of cities and allows peaceful protests against his regime, an opposition leader said Friday as rebels showed signs that their front-line organization is improving.Photo: Altaf Qadri/ APLibyan rebels run for cover after coming under heavy artillery fire... Libyan rebels shout slogans as they hear about air strikes at front line near Brega, Libya, Friday, April 1, 2011. Libya's rebels will agree to a cease-fire if Moammar Gadhafi pulls his military forces out of cities and allows peaceful protests against his regime, an opposition leader said Friday as rebels showed signs that their front-line organization is improving.Photo: Altaf Qadri/ APLibyan rebels shout slogans as they hear about air strikes at front... Libyan rebels pray near the a graves of their fellow rebels who were allegedly killed in NATO coalition airstrike overnight at the frontline, near Brega, Libya, Saturday, April 2, 2011. NATO said on Saturday that it was investigating Libyan rebel reports that a coalition warplane had struck a rebel position that was firing into the air near the eastern front line of the battle with Gadhafi's forces.Photo: Altaf Qadri/ APLibyan rebels pray near the a graves of their fellow rebels who... A Libyan rebel shouts religious slogans before heading towards the frontline, near Brega, Libya, Saturday, April 2, 2011. NATO said on Saturday that it was investigating Libyan rebel reports that a coalition warplane had struck a rebel position that was firing into the air near the eastern front line of the battle with Gadhafi's forces.Photo: Altaf Qadri/ APA Libyan rebel shouts religious slogans before heading towards the... A Libyan rebel stands guard on the middle of the road at the front line near Brega, Libya, Saturday, April 2, 2011. NATO said on Saturday that it was investigating Libyan rebel reports that a coalition warplane had struck a rebel position that was firing into the air near the eastern front line of the battle with Gadhafi's forces.Photo: Altaf Qadri/ APA Libyan rebel stands guard on the middle of the road at the front... A Libyan family is crowded into a car and they flash V-victory signs as they pass rebel fighters, as they cross the front line, fleeing from the nearby city of Brega, Libya, Saturday, April 2, 2011.Photo: Altaf Qadri/ APA Libyan family is crowded into a car and they flash V-victory... A Libyan rebel uses the rounds of an AK-47 rifle as a belt at the frontline, near Brega, Libya, Saturday, April 2, 2011. NATO said on Saturday that it was investigating Libyan rebel reports that a coalition warplane had struck a rebel position that was firing into the air near the eastern front line of the battle with Gadhafi's forces.Photo: Altaf Qadri/ APA Libyan rebel uses the rounds of an AK-47 rifle as a belt at the... A Libyan rebel prays on the roadside before heading towards the frontline, near Brega, Libya, Saturday, April 2, 2011. NATO said on Saturday that it was investigating Libyan rebel reports that a coalition warplane had struck a rebel position that was firing into the air near the eastern front line of the battle with Gadhafi's forces.Photo: Altaf Qadri/ APA Libyan rebel prays on the roadside before heading towards the... Libyan rebels clean machine gun ammunition with petrol before heading for the front line near Brega, Libya, Saturday, April 2, 2011. NATO said on Saturday that it was investigating Libyan rebel reports that a coalition warplane had struck a rebel position that was firing into the air near the eastern front line of the battle with Gadhafi's forces.Photo: Altaf Qadri/ APLibyan rebels clean machine gun ammunition with petrol before... A Libyan rebel buries the charred remains of his fellow rebels who were allegedly killed in NATO coalition airstrike overnight the front line near Brega, Libya, Saturday, April 2, 2011. NATO said on Saturday that it was investigating Libyan rebel reports that a coalition warplane had struck a rebel position that was firing into the air near the eastern front line of the battle with Gadhafi's forces.Photo: Altaf Qadri/ APA Libyan rebel buries the charred remains of his fellow rebels who... A Libyan rebel collects the charred remains of rebels who were allegedly killed in NATO coalition airstrike overnight, as others inspect the damaged vehicle along the front line near Brega, Libya, Saturday, April 2, 2011. NATO said on Saturday that it was investigating Libyan rebel reports that a coalition warplane had struck a rebel position that was firing into the air near the eastern front line of the battle with Gadhafi's forces.Photo: Altaf Qadri/ APA Libyan rebel collects the charred remains of rebels who were... Libyan rebels clean machine gun ammunition with petrol before heading for the frontline, near Brega, Libya, Saturday, April 2, 2011. NATO said on Saturday that it was investigating Libyan rebel reports that a coalition warplane had struck a rebel position that was firing into the air near the eastern front line of the battle with Gadhafi's forces.Photo: Altaf Qadri/ APLibyan rebels clean machine gun ammunition with petrol before... Libyan rebels run for cover after coming under the attack of pro Gadhafi forces along the frontline near Brega, Libya, Saturday, April 2, 2011. NATO said on Saturday that it was investigating Libyan rebel reports that a coalition warplane had struck a rebel position that was firing into the air near the eastern front line of the battle with Gadhafi's forces.Photo: Altaf Qadri/ APLibyan rebels run for cover after coming under the attack of pro...

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Font Page 1 of 1 BENGHAZI, Libya (AP) — A NATO airstrike intended to thwart Moammar Gadhafi's forces killed 13 rebel fighters in eastern Libya instead, the opposition said Saturday, but they described it as an "unfortunate accident" and stressed it did not diminish their support for the international air campaign.

The rebels' response to the attack — blaming it on a mistake within their ranks — highlighted their heavy dependence on the international air campaign as they face the superior military power of the longtime Libyan leader. The misfire also showed the challenges the coalition faces in identifying targets without coordination with forces on the ground.

"As regrettable as it may be, we understand that we might have to give up lives for the greater good. We have to look at the bigger picture," opposition spokesman Mustafa Gheriani said. "This is a war and the lines are so fluid going back and forth, so it's natural that mistakes will happen."

The slain fighters were hit Friday night as they moved forward, attempting to take back the oil city of Brega, while airstrikes were in progress. Seven fighters were injured. Another opposition spokesman, Abdel-Hafidh Ghoga, said it was an example of the lack of coordination in the ranks that has proven a key obstacle to victory over the more organized Libyan military.

Rebels without training — sometimes even without weapons — have rushed in and out of fighting in a free-for-all for more than six weeks, repeatedly getting trounced by Gadhafi's more heavily armed forces. But ex-military officers who have joined the rebel side have stepped up training efforts and taken a greater role in the fight.

"This unfortunate accident was a mistake that was caused by the rebels' advance during the coalition's attack," Ghoga said. "Now the military leadership that has been organized more effectively recently is working on preventing the recurrence of these accidents."

Rebels in the field had previously said some of their comrades were killed by an airstrike Friday but Ghoga's comments provided the first confirmation.

Two men who survived the strike said it happened at about 8 p.m. Friday after somebody fired heavy weaponry into the air as a rebel convoy made its way from Ajdabiya toward Brega.

"We were just driving along and then everything was on fire," said 19-year-old Ibrahim al-Shahaibi. "It's fate. They must have thought we were Gadhafi's brigades when they hit us. We need to get rid of him."

Al-Shahaibi was covered up to his chest in a fuzzy brown blanket in the intensive care unit at Benghazi's Jalaa hospital. His right leg was amputated below the knee and his face had severe burns.

Ali Abdullah Zio, 28, an economics student at Qar Younis University in Benghazi, also was lying in a hospital bed, with a swollen face and his head and hands wrapped in white bandages. He was unable to open his eyes.

He said there were four cars and an ambulance in the convoy and everybody was shocked when one of the men fired into the air.

"We all turned to him and said "why the hell did you do that?' He said it was a mistake, then pulled out of the convoy and drove back to Ajdabiya. Moments later there was an airstrike.

Zio said he wasn't angry, and he planned to return to the front as soon as possible.

"It's the coalition that protects us," he said.

NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said the alliance was investigating the reports, and appeared to suggest that its aircraft on patrol had encountered ground fire and retaliated.

"The exact details are hard to verify because we have no reliable source on the ground," Lungescu said. "Clearly, if someone fires at one of our aircraft they have the right to defend themselves."

Mohammad Bedrise, a doctor in a nearby hospital, said three burned bodies had been brought in by men who said they had been hit after firing a heavy machine gun in the air in celebration. Idris Kadiki, a 38-year-old mechanical engineer, said he had seen an ambulance and three cars burning after an airstrike.

Rebels told The Associated Press that the fighters were hit about 12 miles (20 kilometers) east of Brega, which has gone back and forth between rebel and government hands in recent weeks.

NATO, which on Thursday took over what had been a U.S.-led military campaign to stop Gadhafi from attacking his own people, also is investigating whether other airstrikes have killed civilians in western Libya, as the Libyan government claims. The United States, meanwhile, was ending its role in combat missions Saturday, leaving that work for other nations.

Rebels control much of eastern Libya, but in the west the only significant city they hold is Misrata, which has been besieged for weeks by Gadhafi forces who have cut off water, power and food supplies.

Medical officials said Saturday that government forces killed 37 civilians over the past two days in an unrelenting campaign of shelling and sniper fire and an attack that burned down the city's main stocks of flour and sugar.

Over the past month and a half, 243 people have been killed and some 1,000 wounded, according to the medical officials, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation.

The hospital official in Misrata said Gadhafi forces were trying to pummel the port, hoping to cut off the city's last line to the outside world. He said tanks positioned on the city's east fired shells toward the area. Other Gadhafi troops disguised in civilian cars sped to the area, firing mortars and then fleeing, he said.

Gadhafi's forces have shelled the city's outskirts and residents are piling into the heart of Misrata, crowding into the homes of relations and even unfinished buildings, the hospital official said. The reports could not be independently confirmed.

Ukraine said it would dispatch a military ship to Tripoli, the Libyan capital, to collect up to 600 Ukrainians, Americans, Britons, Russians, Belorussians and other foreigners, Ukrainian spokesman Aleksandr Dikusarov said. He said Libyan authorities had guaranteed the safety of the evacuation.

___

Lucas reported from Ajdabiya. Associated Press writers Diaa Hadid and Maggie Michael in Cairo and Slobodan Lekic in Brussels contributed to this report.

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