20110403
reuters

BREGA, Libya (Reuters) - Warplanes flew over Brega overnight as rebels fought troops loyal to Muammar Gaddafi for control of the east Libyan oil town, rebel fighters said.

A Reuters correspondent waiting near Brega's eastern gate heard the thud of explosions and machinegun fire on Sunday morning.

Black smoke rose further west and hundreds of cars carrying volunteer rebel fighters streamed away from the town.

"Those planes that circled last night didn't hit anything," said rebel fighter Osama Abdullah.

Comments from volunteer rebel fighters suggested that better trained anti-Gaddafi army units continued to battle government forces towards the centre of Brega, without any clear outcome.

Rebel army commanders have sought to keep the less experienced and lightly armed volunteers and journalists away from the front line.

Another rebel fighter, Khaled Ahmed Mahdi, said he heard bombardment overnight from his position some 20 km (12.4 miles) east of the town centre.

"We heard the sound of bombardment and then mortars and bullets," he said. "Some clashes are continuing, but not a lot."