Revolutionaries surrounding Muammar Gaddafi’s last major stronghold in the western Nafusa mountains region are hungry for the kill. There’s just one problem — not enough ammunition.

Revolutionary fighters from Misrata have pushed closer to entering the coastal town of Zlitan after 48 hours of fierce fighting in which at least 27 fighters have been killed on the frontline.

Hundreds of revolutionary fighters, known collectively as National Liberation Army (NLA) in western Libya launched a broad offensive against government forces today, seizing two towns from them and advancing on others.

Libyan revolutionaries fighting in the western Nafusa mountains said yesterday they planned to launch a major offensive on the strategic town of Ghezaia near the Tunisian border in the next day or two.

Efforts to find a deal to end the war in Libya intensified on today, with a U.N. special envoy heading for Tripoli and Western powers signaling that Muammar Gaddafi could stay in the country if he gives up power.

A top National Transitional Council (NTC) official says Muammar Gaddafi’s troops have boobytrapped petroleum installations in the strategic oil port of Brega so they can be blown up if his regime loses the town.

Dozens of horsemen in flowing robes sat on their mounts cheering as men around them fired AK-47s in the air, proclaiming their allegiance to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and their readiness to march on to the liberated western Nafusa mountains.

Muammar Gaddafi could remain in Libya if he relinquishes power, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said today, in what appeared to be a fresh drive to find a political solution to the dragging conflict.

Revolutionary forces have routed most of Muammar Gaddafi’s troops in the Libyan oil town of Brega in the biggest boost for the their campaign in eastern Libya in weeks. But its streets are littered with landmines, making it hard to secure full control of the area.