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Libyan rebels 'fighting Gaddafi forces in Brega' Libyan rebels claim victory in battle for Brega
(about 4 hours later)
Libyan rebels say they are fighting Muammar Gaddafi's forces in residential areas of the eastern town of Brega. Libyan rebels say they are largely in control of the key eastern town of Brega, after close fighting in residential areas.
Rebel forces have been advancing on Brega for several days despite heavy artillery fire from government troops holding the town. Rebels say forces loyal to Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi are retreating west towards the town of Ras Lanuf.
It has not been possible to verify the rebel claims. They say Brega has been heavily mined and there are still pockets of resistance.
The fall of the town, home to one of Libya's biggest oil facilities, would be a major breakthrough for anti-Gaddafi forces, correspondents say. It has not been possible to independently verify the rebel claims.
Brega, about 750km (465 miles) east of the capital Tripoli, has changed hands several times in the fighting along Libya's Mediterranean coast since the rebellion began in February.Brega, about 750km (465 miles) east of the capital Tripoli, has changed hands several times in the fighting along Libya's Mediterranean coast since the rebellion began in February.
"Some small groups have made it inside, but we do not control the whole [town] yet," Mohammed Zawi, a spokesman for the rebel forces, was quoted as saying by AFP news agency. "The bulk of Gaddafi's forces have retreated to Ras Lanuf," rebel spokesman Shamsiddin Abdulmolah told AFP news agency.
"It is now close fighting," he said. He said streets were littered with "an extraordinary number of anti-personnel mines", making it hard to fully secure the area.
The remnants of Col Gaddafi's troops in the town - believed to number about 150 to 200 - are holed up in industrial buildings with dwindling supplies, he added.
"Their food and water supplies are cut and they now will not be able to sleep. It is a matter of time before they come to their senses, we hope to prevent some bloodshed," he said.
Stalemate
Rebel forces around Brega are being hampered by missile attacks from the village of Bishr around 20km (13 miles) away, Mr Abdulmolah said.
He said some rebel fighters had swept past Brega from the south to attack those positions.
"We hope to take Bishr today," he added.
Correspondents say the fall of Brega, if confirmed, would be a major breakthrough for anti-Gaddafi forces.
They have been advancing on the town for several days from the north-east, east and south-east, despite heavy artillery fire from government troops.
For weeks the Libyan conflict has appeared to be in a protracted stalemate with rebels holding eastern Libya and pockets in the west.
Col Gaddafi remains entrenched in Tripoli, despite the Nato bombing campaign.
Nato has been targeting Libyan government weapons and military facilities under a UN mandate issued in March to protect civilians.
'Need for democracy'
In a separate development on Monday, South Africa's President Jacob Zuma, who has led a mediation mission on behalf of the African Union, said that Libya needed a democratic government.In a separate development on Monday, South Africa's President Jacob Zuma, who has led a mediation mission on behalf of the African Union, said that Libya needed a democratic government.
But he said that the Libyan people must decide their own destiny, and that if Col Gaddafi goes conditions must be in place as to when, where and how that happens.But he said that the Libyan people must decide their own destiny, and that if Col Gaddafi goes conditions must be in place as to when, where and how that happens.
Mr Zuma made his comments during a joint news conference with the visiting British Prime Minister David Cameron. Mr Zuma made his comments during a joint news conference in South Africa's capital, Pretoria, with the visiting British Prime Minister David Cameron.
Meanwhile, Russia has refused to recognise the rebel leadership as the legitimate government of Libya.Meanwhile, Russia has refused to recognise the rebel leadership as the legitimate government of Libya.
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that such a move would amount to taking sides in a civil war.Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that such a move would amount to taking sides in a civil war.
His statement comes a day after the US and other Western and Arab powers recognised the Libyan opposition as the country's "legitimate governing authority" and repeated their demand that Col Gaddafi and his family should give up power.His statement comes a day after the US and other Western and Arab powers recognised the Libyan opposition as the country's "legitimate governing authority" and repeated their demand that Col Gaddafi and his family should give up power.
Nato 'hits' Nato aircraft have been targeting pro-Gaddafi forces near Brega in recent days, reporting hits on armoured vehicles and rocket launchers near the town, according to Reuters news agency.
Three rebel fighters were killed and 96 wounded in Brega on Sunday, AFP quoted medical staff as saying - bringing the overall rebel toll since fighting began to 15 dead and 274 wounded.
Earlier another rebel spokesman, Mohammed al-Rajaly, told AP news agency that his forces had liberated the north-eastern half of Brega and were moving against government forces in the south-western part.
Nato aircraft have been targeting pro-Gaddafi forces near Brega in recent days, reporting hits on armoured vehicles and rocket launchers near the town, according to Reuters.
Nato said its warplanes hit a military storage facility containing tanks, armoured personnel carriers and ammunition in Tripoli's eastern outskirts early on Sunday.Nato said its warplanes hit a military storage facility containing tanks, armoured personnel carriers and ammunition in Tripoli's eastern outskirts early on Sunday.
Col Gaddafi has refused to step down. In a speech on Saturday, he described the rebels as traitors and rejected suggestions that he was about to leave the country.Col Gaddafi has refused to step down. In a speech on Saturday, he described the rebels as traitors and rejected suggestions that he was about to leave the country.