Opposition forces have launched a two-pronged offensive in Western Libya, increasing pressure to isolate Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's stronghold of Tripoli.
Opposition fighters advanced toward the towns of Gharyan and Az-Zawiyah on Saturday, attempting to cut off the southern coastal route from Tunisia that Gaddafi uses for supplies.
Early in the day, rebel fighters claimed victory in Gharyan after Gaddafi's soldiers withdrew. However, regime forces returned several hours later and clashes continued.
Meanwhile, the battle for control of Az-Zawiyah raged along the coastal highway and at the gates of the city.
Al Jazeera's Zeina Khodr, who is in the south of Az-Zawiyah, said opposition fighters claim "they have managed to take 70 per cent of the town, despite the threat of snipers still in the area."
The gains are possible "because the Gaddafi forces' defences were weak and that fighters received help from inside the city. As they expected, residents took up arms and fought alongside them when they arrived.
"The town had previously risen up against Gaddafi, but government forces quelled that uprising.
Libyan government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim rejected the claims: "Az-Zawiyah is completely under our control. A very small group of rebels tried to enter from the south of Az-Zawiyah but they were stopped easily by our armed forces."
Rebel forces launched ground attacks after NATO planes hit targets in these areas.
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