Forces of Libya's leader Moammar Gadhafi began attacking Wednesday the rebel-held town of Zintan , 120 kilometers southwest of Tripoli , an independent witness told AFP by telephone.

"Things are starting at Zintan. There is some tank fire a few kilometers south of the town and the sound of Grad-type rockets being launched in salvos, as well as an exchange of small-arms fire," he said.

"Local people say some 40 army vehicles are on the south side of town with tanks and rocket-launchers, while in the north a column of some 15 tanks approached during the night."

The witness, who said he could observe the scene from some 10 kilometers west of Zintan, was pessimistic about the rebels' chances of repelling the attack.

"From what I can see they are badly organized and badly armed, just villagers on guard," he said. "Where I am there are around 15 guys with five Kalashnikovs, an Italian rifle and three old shotguns."

"The rebels dispatched a number of vehicles towards the shooting in the south," the witness added. "I saw a truck with anti-aircraft guns rush off, but another vehicle failed to start."

Zintan was the first city in western Libya to join the anti-regime protests a day after the revolt against Gadhafi's autocratic 41-year rule erupted Feb. 15 in the eastern coastal city of Benghazi .

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