July 9 (Reuters) – Following are the latest political and military developments in the Libyan crisis.
* Muammar Gaddafi threatened on Friday to send hundreds of Libyans to launch attacks in Europe in revenge for the NATO-led military campaign against him, while rebels came under heavy fire as they renewed their push against his forces.
* Traders said on Friday oil companies in the Mediterranean are seeking at least 70,000 tonnes of jet fuel for delivery to Greece, Tunisia and Turkey, highlighting a rise in regional demand for the product and a standstill of exports from Libya.
* NATO warplanes bombed forces loyal to Gaddafi in the Western Mountains on Friday on the front line to which they retreated two days ago when rebels advanced.
* Hundreds of African migrants have been flown from government-controlled southern Libya to the capital of Chad — the first air evacuation by the International Organisation for Migration since the Libyan war broke out.
* Five Libyan rebels were killed and 17 wounded in fighting with Gaddafi’s forces near Misrata on Friday.
* Turkey has frozen $1 billion worth of Libyan central bank reserves deposited in Turkish banks, Turkey’s Star newspaper reported on Friday, citing Turkish foreign and economy ministry officials.
* NATO said it conducted 140 air sorties on Friday, 49 of them strike sorties that aim to identify and hit targets but do not always deploy munitions. Continued…