Cairo (ANTARA News/Xinhua-OANA) - About seven rebels were killed and 50 others wounded Tuesday in a fight against troops loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi near the western town of Zlitan, Doha-based TV channel al-Jazeera reported.

The Gaddafi forces reached the outskirts of Zlitan, the biggest urban area between Misrata and the Libyan capital Tripoli, and launched a counter attack against the rebel forces, al-Jazeera said.

The fighting was still ongoing near the town, a stronghold used by the government troops to block the rebel forces` advance towards Tripoli, which is about 130 km away.

The injured rebels have been taken to hospitals in Misrata for treatment, al-Jazeera quoted hospital officials as saying. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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