Libyan rebels battling to overthrow Col Muammar Gaddafi said on Saturday they captured all of the strategic eastern town of Brega as the embattled regime denies claims Gaddafi is seeking refuge for his family.
On Friday, the rebels also said they had seized Zlitan, 160 kilometers east of the Libyan capital Tripoli, and Zawiya, some 30 kilometers west of the Gaddafi stronghold.
The government has dismissed the claims.
Meanwhile, Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim refuted rebel reports that Gaddafi had asked Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria to host his family, CNN reported.
An unnamed U.S. official told the New York Times Gaddafi appeared to be making preparations for a final battle as the rebel forces have also closed in on Tripoli from the south and NATO air strikes continued.
"We believe he could be planning for a last stand," he said.
On Friday, the rebels said Gaddafi's former deputy, Abdel Salam Jalloud, had defected and joined their ranks.
