Libyan Rebels Say They Seized Control over Ras Lanuf Oil Port

A TV grab taken from Al Arabiya channel shows smoke rises near a mosque during clashes at an unidentified location in Tripoli, Libya, 23 August 2011. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Libyan rebel forces have claimed they are now in control of the country's eastern Rar Lanuf oil hub.

Earlier on Tuesday, it was reported that the rebels had taken over the town of Ageila from Muammar Gaddafi's loyalists and that they were heading to Ras Lanuf. They have said they have already seized it, too, BBC says.

Even though the rebels have won fights over the last couple of weeks in the western parts of the country and have successfully entered Tripoli, they have experienced difficulties advancing to the eastern parts, where forces loyal to Gaddafi have repelled their attacks

Meanwhile, Al Jazeera has reported citing its own sources that rebels have gained access to the home of Muammar Gaddafi inside the Bab al-Aziziya compound. Hundreds of Libyan rebels are reported to have stormed Col Gaddafi's compound in Tripoli, taking it over.

Other international reports indicated that the rebels have not only entered Bab Al-Aziziya, and have subdued the resistance of the pro-Gaddafi forces but have also started to fire into the air in celebration of their success.

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