Libyan rebels in the country's west say they have launched an offensive towards key towns on the Mediterranean coast.
Commanders say they have captured the town of Bir al-Ghanam, 50 miles (80km) south of Tripoli, from forces loyal to Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi.However, there has been no official comment from the Libyan government.
Hundreds of rebel fighters have moved from the mountain town of Yafran to the front lines, where heavy fighting is under way, AP news agency reports.
It quotes rebel fighters as saying the initial aim was to "liberate Bir al-Ghanam" before moving on Zawiya, a key city on the Mediterranean coast 30 miles (50 km) away.
Meanwhile, Reuters quotes rebel spokesman Mohammad Zawawi as saying troops were also advancing on the coastal oil town of Brega.
"There's a big movement on all fronts around Brega, we are attacking from three sides," he said.
Landmines However, he added that troops were advancing slowly because government forces had sown landmines on the approaches to the town.
The assault is being seen as an attempt to open a new front and break the military deadlock that has emerged.
Rebels have been fighting government forces since March but Col Gaddafi's regime still controls much of the west, with its stronghold in Tripoli.
The rebels hold the east, with pockets in the west. These include the Nafousa Mountains, where Yafran is located, and the city of Misrata on the coast, east of the capital.
Earlier in the week, government forces launched a counter-offensive against rebels near the strategic western town of Zlitan.
Rebels had reached the city's eastern suburbs but were being hampered by a lack of ammunition.
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