BREGA, Libya (AP) — Libyan rebels have taken a key oil town in their continuing push westards towards the capital Tripoli, backed by international air strikes.
After being stymied for weeks by the heavy weapons of Moammar Gadhafi's army, rebels captured the city of Ajadibya Saturday and then swept into the oil town of Brega the next day.
International air strikes have destroyed much of the government's heavy weaponry in the area.
"There are no Gadhafi forces here now, the rebels have Brega under their full control, it is free," said rebel commander Ahmed Jibril from the westernmost edge of the town near the entrance to the oil facility.
"There was a small fight in Brega yesterday evening and the Gadhafi forces fled," he added.
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