Gaddafi retakes oil port in rebel-held east Libya

Forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi retook control of a key oil installation and port on the coast of the rebel-held eastern half of the country Wednesday and warplanes bombed an ammunition depot on the outskirts of a nearby town also controlled by the opposition, witnesses said.

Gaddafi's forces are escalating a counteroffensive after government opponents over the past two weeks seized control of the eastern half of the country and several cities and towns in the western half near the regime stronghold in the capital Tripoli. (AP)