Government, rebel forces battle for key Libyan coastal cities

Cairo - Libyan state television said government troops loyal to leader Muammer Gaddafi had recaptured the oil port of Ras Lanuf and key coastal cities of Az Zawiyah and Misrata early Sunday.

The reports were not independently confirmed as battles to control the three cities seesawed over the weekend. International media reports said heavy gunfire was heard in parts of Tripoli Sunday morning. A government spokesman denied that any fighting was occurring in the capital, and said the shooting was celebratory gunfire from supporters of the Gaddafi regime. On Saturday, rebel forces had reportedly taken the upper hand in Ras Lanuf and Az Zawiyah.

Al Jazeera reported that government troops on the offensive had entered the heart of Az Zawiyah, 50 kilometres from Tripoli, but were driven back hours later by the insurgents. It also quoted rebel sources saying they were advancing westwards on Sirte, Gaddafi’s heavily defended hometown.