Libyan rebels backed by allied air raids say they have seized control of the frontline oil town of Ajdabiya from Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s forces.
The BBC’s Ben Brown in Ajdabiya says there are scenes of jubilation among the insurgents.
Gaddafi loyalists seized the town last week as they advanced east to quell an uprising now in its fifth week.
Saturday’s breakthrough came after a seventh night of bombardment by allies enforcing a UN-mandated no-fly zone.
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Analysis Ben Brown BBC News, Ajdabiya
We’re here by the eastern gate and the rebels have definitely taken that. They’re saying they’ve also taken the western gate and the whole town, which they are combing street by street. Behind us there are jubilant rebels who say they’ve scored a decisive victory against the Gaddafi forces.
According to the insurgents, the Gaddafi forces have scattered in all directions, and the rebels are giving chase. The rebels are saying they will move west to their next target, Brega. It’s a huge boost to the rebels but they couldn’t have done it without coalition air power.
The rebels don’t have very sophisticated weaponry, … >>>