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Libya crisis in maps: Day by day
Sunday 27 March
Rebels recaptured the oil town of Ras Lanuf, on the coast road leading towards the major Gaddafi stronghold of Sirte, after taking Brega and Uqayla earlier in the day.
The Libyan government said coalition forces launched air strikes between Ajdabiya and Sirte, as well as in Sirte itself, resulting in "many" military and civilian lives being lost.
But claims by rebels that Col Gaddafi's hometown had fallen appear to be premature.
A BBC correspondent who visited the recaptured towns said that after days of stalemate the rebels have finally gathered some momentum - even if this only because they have had so much help from coalition air strikes that destroyed Col Gaddafi's tanks and artillery.
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