(Euronews: 0724 PST, March 4, 2011) Anti-government rebels have fired a sustained barrage of mortar bombs and rockets at a military base protecting the eastern Libyan port of Ras Lanuf.

The rebels say they are determined to overrun the base on the outskirts of the major oil terminal port on the Mediterranean. Libyan army helicopters have machine-gunned the rebel positions. Anti-aircraft missiles have been fired in response.