Anti-Gaddafi Rebels stampede out of Libyan town

LIBYAN insurgents and civilians stampeded out of Ajdabiya on rumours that loyalist forces were outside the eastern town, hours after a rebel armoured unit was hit by apparent NATO friendly fire.

The panic came as a top US general said it was unlikely the rebel forces could launch an assault on Tripoli and oust Muammar Gaddafi, though France confidently predicted the strongman's downfall.

And as loyalist forces continued to besiege the rebel held city of Misrata and challenge the rebels on other fronts, Turkey's prime minister called for Gaddafi to stop his onslaught and to pull back.

Families packed into cars and trucks joined rebel military vehicles in a charge northeast towards the insurgent stronghold of Benghazi, some 160km away.

The administrator of the hospital in Ajdabiya said many civilians fled in panic because of the unconfirmed rumours of advancing Gaddafi forces, but that the rumours were unfounded.

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