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Fierce battles between Muammar Qaddafi’s forces and rebels are being fought in eastern Libya. Qaddafi continues to employ heavy artillery, warplanes, and bombs against the more crudely armed opposition. On Wednesday, after reports that government forces had retaken the city of Ajdabiya, rebels managed to retain a foothold in the area and fighting continues for this last stronghold on the way to Benghazi. The nation’s second largest city has been the home base for the opposition, and rebels vow it will not be reclaimed by the government. However reports are coming that residents, foreign journalists, and aid groups have been leaving Benghazi in anticipation of a bloody battle. Qaddafi has continued to selectively control the movement of journalists. He allowed reporters into Ajdabiya to observe his troops massed at its Western entrance, but Benghazi is currently off-limits. Yesterday it seemed that Zuwarah, the last rebel-held city in Tripoli, had fallen back to Qaddafi, but the coastal city of Misuratah is reportedly still being fought over. Meanwhile, the international community continues to debate what actions it will take to counter Qaddafi’s violent onslaught. The 22-member Arab League approved a no-fly zone over Libya, however the NY Times reports that the U.S. is openly considering direct military strikes on Qaddafi’s forces. The United Nations this week is considering a range of military options that include air strikes and heavy artillery. A vote is expected later today.

GUEST: Dr. Mahmoud Traina, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA