With the aid of the coalition air strikes, Libyan rebels are now advancing towards Gaddafi's stronghold of Sirte. The advance follows their re-capture of the key oil towns of Ras Lanuf, Brega and Bin Jawad. That means all the main oil terminals in eastern Libya are now in the rebels' hands.

 

The rebel army pushed west on Sunday, retaking the strategic towns of Ras Lanuf, Bin Jawad, and Brega. The rebels also recaptured Ajdabiyah on Saturday.

Their advance met no resistance, as the forces of Muammar Gaddafi pulled back under pressure from Western coalition air strikes.

Within two days, the rebels dramatically reversed military losses in their five-week insurgency.

With the rebels now back in control of the main oil terminals in the east, Gaddafi appears to be retrenching in the west.

Near the capital, Gaddafi's forces fought the rebels in the centre of Misrata, Libya's third largest city, to try to consolidate his grip on western Libya.

Misrata is the only western city in the rebels' hands and has been sealed off for weeks.

Rebels say they now have their sights on the coastal town of Sirte, Gaddafi's hometown and an important military base.

Meanwhile, new rebel units are being trained in basic military drills and how to handle weapons, to prepare for future fighting with the government forces.