(Al Jazeera English: 0826 PST, March 8, 2011) Forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi appear to have pushed Libya's rebels back from key towns. The Libyan leader's battalions have repelled groups trying to oust him from his coastal strongholds, hitting rebels hard.

In the West, close to the capital Tripoli, Gaddafi's forces have taken back Az Zawiyah. The rebels still hold Misurata, their only significant foothold in the west, but there has been intense fighting there. It lies halfway between the capital Tripoli to Sirte, Gaddafi's birthplace and major support base. Sources told Al Jazeera that Gaddafi has been sending reinforcements there.

Further east, rebel positions have been pounded on Tuesday in Ras Lanuf and the day before in the nearby town of Bin Jawad. Al Jazeera's Tony Birtley reports from there.