Rebels fighting on the front line in Libya

Forces opposed to Col Gaddafi, helped by foreign air strikes, have made rapid progress in recent days but pro-Gaddafi forces are now pushing them back.

The rebels had made quick progress westwards from their stronghold in Benghazi, seizing a number of coastal communities and important oil installations, including Ras Lanuf, Brega, Uqayla and Bin Jawad.

Orla Guerin reports.