Libya conflict: Rebels 'take' key Zawiya oil refinery

[Gerald]

An oil refinery outside the Libyan town of Zawiya, just 50km (30 miles) west of Tripoli, has been taken by opposition forces, according to reports.

A Reuters news agency reporter said rebels were in the complex and there was no sign of pro-Gaddafi troops.

If confirmed, it would be both a strategic and psychological blow to Colonel Gaddafi's supporters, the BBC's Matthew Price in Tripoli says.

Pro-Gaddafi forces have lost territory to the rebels in recent days.

The oil refinery outside Zawiya has been a strategic target of the opposition forces for some time, our correspondent says.

Rebel fighter Abdulkarim Kashaba said on Wednesday that they had taken "control [of] the gates of the refinery" and were planning an assault.

Heavy gunfire could be heard after rebels in cars loaded with large-calibre ammunition sped towards the refinery.

The Reuters reporter at the scene said on Thursday that small groups of rebel fighters had now occupied the oil terminal, and there was no sign of Col Gaddafi's forces.

Although much of the fuel used by the Libyan army is smuggled across the border from Tunisia and Algeria, the refinery provides supplies for the capital Tripoli, our correspondent says.

Rebels also appear to be consolidating their gains in Zawiya itself, and the Libyan army is clearly on the back foot, he adds.

Our correspondent notes that although the government is insisting it will fight back, there is a distinct nervousness among some government employees that has not been seen before.

Control of Zawiya is seen as important because it straddles a major road linking Tripoli to Tunisia.

If opposition forces could maintain control of the town, they would have Tripoli surrounded by land, with Nato - which has been enforcing a UN-mandated no-fly zone to protect civilians since March - blocking sea access.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14575444


Note: 18 August 2011 Last updated at 12:03 GMT