Rebels raise flag, burn Gaddafi banner in captured Ras Lanuf

Rebel fighters have captured the key oil port of Ras Lanuf from the forces of Moammar Gaddafi, in their first military victory in a potentially long, westward march from the east of the country to the capital Tripoli hundreds of miles to the west. Witnesses said the town fell to rebel hands on Friday night after a fierce battle with pro-regime forces who later fled. On Saturday, fighters were consolidating their position in the city by bringing in more weapons. Local residents hoisted the red, black and green pre-Moammar Gaddafi era flag on top of a school in the town centre. Many also burnt a green Gaddafi-regime flag in a show of defiance towards the longtime leader.

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