African Union Arrives to Mediate as NATO Attacks Libyan Tanks

AU Leaders Arrive in Libya; NATO Airstrikes Blunt Attack Against Rebels

VoA News: NATO airstrikes appear to have repelled an assault on a rebel-held town by forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, while African Union leaders have arrived in Tripoli to mediate in Libya's conflict.

NATO says its airstrikes Sunday destroyed 11 government tanks near the eastern town of Ajdabiya and 14 pro-Gadhafi tanks near the western rebel-held city of Misrata. Lieutenant General Charles Bouchard says the strikes were needed because pro-Gadhafi forces were brutally shelling Libyans.

Libyan rebel spokesman Colonel Hamid Hassy told The Associated Press that heavy shelling from government forces near Ajdabiya largely stopped after the NATO airstrikes.

Medics and reporters say the fighting at Ajdabiya has killed at least 12 people during the past few days.

Meanwhile, South African President Jacob Zuma arrived in the capital, Tripoli, Sunday on a mediation mission and was joined by the presidents of Mauritania, Mali and Congo and a representative from Uganda. The group is to meet with Mr. Gadhafi before heading to the rebel stronghold of Benghazi for talks with rebel leaders.

Earlier, The Associated Press reported that pro-Gadhafi forces shot down two rebel helicopters in Brega, an oil town west of Ajdabiya.

Brega has been the scene of intense fighting in recent days with it going from government to rebel control and back again several times since the start of an uprising against Mr. Gadhafi.