Libyan rebels say they advance to oil town

Ajdabiya, Libya: An agent of Libya said with the rebels after a four-day detention back its forces advanced into a strategic oil city.

Colonel Hamid Hassy said Saturday following clashes with government forces dispersed the rebels were now near the massive oil installations of Brega.

He said the rebels had brought with them engineers to repair any damage to refineries and terminals that have already changed hands half a dozen times since fighting erupted a month and a half.

He attributed the advance for several days of NATO air strikes until softened forces of Muammar Gaddafi.

Air strikes have kept the rebels simply be dismissed by government forces better trained and equipment on the battlefield, but so far it has not been sufficient to reverse the trend.