Libyan rebels have entered Zawiya, on the Mediterranean coast, despite snipers and heavy artillery fire from Muammar Gaddafi's forces, which hold the strategically important city.
In the last few months, this is the biggest advance of the rebels, who have started a new offensive in the west of Libya, after the conflict in the central and eastern parts of the country, in which the two sides are fairly equal.
The defense of Zawia, a city with about 200.000 inhabitants, is also of key importance for the Gaddafi regime, which, according to AP, could be forced to send reinforcements to that city.
In the area of Zaija are the only remaining oil refineries that are still in the hands of the Libyan regime
A group of about 200 rebel fighters occupied a bridge on the southwestern edge of Zavia on Saturday evening, and some of them managed to make their way to the main town square, where they removed the green flag of Gaddafi's forces from the minaret of the mosque and raised their own flag.
The Libyan army retaliated to the rebel attack with fire from heavy and automatic weapons, and snipers were deployed on the roofs of the buildings, according to eyewitnesses.
The rebels said they had taken control of most of Zawiya and that Gaddafi's forces were only holding a few pockets.
The rebel forces now also hold the main highway that connects Tripoli to the Tunisian border via Zawia.
In the area of that city are the only remaining oil refineries that are still in the hands of the Libyan regime.
Government spokesman Musa Ibrahim dismissed reports of rebel success as "media games" and said that Tripoli is safe and that the advance of "armed gangs" is only possible for a short time and under the auspices of NATO.
Rebel forces are trying to capture the strategic city of Gharyan, south of Tripoli, where fierce fighting is taking place
Rebel forces are also trying to capture the strategic city of Garian, south of Tripoli, where fierce clashes are taking place.
South of Zawiya, NATO planes mistakenly killed four opposition fighters when they hit a tank they had hijacked from Gaddafi's forces.
The rebellion in Libya broke out in February and within weeks the rebels took control of the eastern half of the country.
The two sides, however, have been in a fairly equal position since April and are unable to change the situation on the ground, despite NATO's air support to the rebels.
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