Dafniya , Libya ( CNN ) -- Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi 's forces fired mortars and guns at rebel forces in an apparent effort to break through a stalemated line west of the rebel-held city of Misrata on Sunday , CNN 's Ben Wedeman reported from the scene . Rebels returned fire , and while some pulled back to seek cover from the incoming artillery shells , others moved forward toward the front line near the town of Dafniya , about 35 kilometers west of Misrata . Libya has been in the throes of a civil war for months , since Gadhafi dug in his heels against popular efforts to force him out of power as anti-government protests sweep the Arab world this year .
Rebels in Syria come under attack at a stalemated front line near a rebel - held city . President Abbas has been fighting efforts to remove him as protests throughout the Arab world .