Libya rebels fight back in Zawiya

Rebel forces near Misrata in western Libya have gained ground in recent days

Fighting has resumed in the western Libyan city of Zawiya between rebels and forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

The town was seized by rebels in March, but government forces recaptured it in less than two weeks of heavy fighting.

The port city, about 30km (18 miles) west of Tripoli is the site of an important oil terminal.

Col Gaddafi’s forces are also struggling against rebels in the western port city of Misrata.

With Nato increasing its bombing attacks on Col Gaddafi’s troops, rebel forces appear to be gaining momentum, says the BBC’s Wyre Davies in Tripoli.

Nato now says it has carried out more than 4,000 air strikes on Libyan government forces.

The renewed fighting in Zawiya means government commanders are faced with the problem of where to position their troops and tanks.

Moving heavy weapons risks bringing down Nato air strikes, says our correspondent.

If the rebels retake Zawiya, they will cut the government’s supply line from the capital Tripoli to the Tunisian border.

In other fighting, government troops shelled rebel forces near Misrata again on Sunday, reports said.

They have the rebels surrounded on three sides, but the port remains open to resupply the anti-government forces.

There have also been clashes to the south of Tripoli in and around the rebel-held town of Yefran, our correspondent says.

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