On the eastern front near Brega, Libyan rebels have captured the residential districts of the oil town on Thursday but Gaddafi's forces still hold western parts of the town where the oil facilities are located, Libya TV said.

The residential area is about 15 km east of the oil terminal and sea port.

While in the west front, the rebel forces had pushed toward Zawiyah, trying to get within striking distance of Tripoli, leader Muammar Gaddafi's capital, it said.

They reached the village of Bir Shuaib, 25 km from Zawiyah, which has unsuccessfully risen up against Gaddafi twice this year. It lies less than 50 km west of Tripoli, on the main road to Tunisia, which has been a lifeline for Libya.

The rebels have seized large areas of the North African state. Gaddafi is clinging to power despite nearly five-months of NATO air strikes, tightening economic sanctions and a lengthening war with rebels seeking to end his 41-year rule.

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