Libyan rebels were claiming victory over forces loyal to Moamer Kadhafi in the battle for Braga after fierce fighting raged around the strategic oil town on Saturday, an AFP journalist reported.
Although there was no immediate confirmation of the claim, the correspondent at the scene witnessed seven bodies of pro-Kadhafi fighters and at least 10 burnt-out army pick-up trucks along the road around the eastern suburb of New Brega.
Fighting appeared to have subsided on Saturday morning on the outskirts of the town and only the sound of NATO fighters flying overhead disturbed the calm.
Brega, 800 kilometres (500 miles) east of Tripoli, has been the scene of intense exchanges over the past few days when pro-Kadhafi forces returned after being driven out by the rebels.
But it has been unclear since Thursday who actually held the town with the rebel forces regrouping in Ajdabiya, 80 kilometres (50 miles) to the east.
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