Libyan Rebels Seize Back Key Oil Cities

Libyan moved west on Sunday, seizing back a pair of eastern coastal cities which include much of the nation's oil refining and exporting facilities on Sunday.

The moves come more than a week after an international coalition of countries actively implementing a United Nations resolution calling for forces led by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to cease fire against civilians, and which also authorized the use of military force to establish a no-fly zone, and order attacks against Gaddafi-backed forces.

First to fall was Brega, which includes a large oil exporting terminal. Also falling was Ras Lanuf, which includes a large oil refining complex.

A Libyan rebel volunteer told the Associated Press that there was no resistance from Gaddafi's forces, that the moves westward could not have happened without the help of NATO, and that rebels had already reached Ras Lanuf.

CNN reported a crew had seen damaged vehicles outside of Ras Lanuf, although the town itself appeared to have avoided major destruction. Some homes appeared burned and others had large holes, although the report said that appeared to be from fighting when Gaddafi's forces first pushed rebels out.