Forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi killed at least 30 civilians on Friday when they tried to retake the rebel-held town of Az Zawiyah, Al Jazeera said.
Inspired by recent revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt, protests demanding the end of Gaddafi's 42-year authoritarian rule have been raging across Libya since February 15. Over 2,000 people have already been killed in clashes between pro-Gaddafi forces and demonstrators.
Rebels have taken control of many Eastern regions of Libya around the city of Benghazi. Az Zawiyah, which has a major oil refinery, is the closest rebel-held territory to the capital, Tripoli.
Libyan state television is reporting that pro-Gaddafi forces have reclaimed the town.
The violence comes amid reports on Friday of battles between protesters and Gaddafi loyalists in the eastern Libyan towns of Ras Lanuf and Zawiyah.
Earlier on Friday, a blast near an ammunition depot near Benghazi killed nine people and injured 10 more. It is as yet unclear whether or not pro-Gaddafi forces are to blame.
MOSCOW, March 4 (RIA Novosti)
