Gadhafi troops launch assault on key oil port

Government forces gaining ground on opposition

TRIPOLI, Libya - Troops loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi were fighting to retake the oil port of Ras Lanuf on Friday, intensifying their counteroffensive against the outgunned insurgents.

Government forces, with total air superiority and a big advantage in tanks, appear to have regained the momentum in the 3-week- old conflict and if their push proceeds apace it could overtake sluggish international efforts to halt Gadhafi.