For the first time, Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi's government forces bombed a major oil facility on Thursday afternoon. Loyalist fighter pilots struck the oil refinery at Sidra, about six miles west of the town of Ras Lanuf.
Qaddafi loyalists also appeared to have recaptured the western town of Bin Jawad 30 miles from the strategic port, and the town of Zawiyah, 25 miles west of Tripoli.
At least one oil tank was set afire at the Sidra oil export terminal. The pipeline delivering crude oil from southern fields to the port was also damaged in the air strike according to rebels who spoke with reporters, but there was no independent confirmation.
It was the first time Libya's oil industry has been seriously affected by the month-long civil war. At least four rebels were killed in the attack, according to a doctor at Ras Lanuf Hospital.
Government loyalists used Katyusha Grad missiles, mortars and air strikes in their efforts to retake the two petrochemical complexes located alongside the town.
Libyan soldiers and secret police beat and threatened a team of three British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) journalists while they were on their way to cover events in Zawiyah.
The news team was held for 21 hours and tortured with a mock execution while repeatedly being threatened with death. They were also hooded and handcuffed, then punched and beaten with rifles and sticks.
Turkish cameraman Goktay Koraltan, British reporter Chris Cobb-Smith and PA Arab correspondent Feras Killani later flew out of Libya upon their release.
According to a statement issued by the BBC, the three saw other Libyan captives from Zawiyah who were beaten and tortured during their imprisonment.