Forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi advanced on the rebel-held oil port of Ras Lanuf on Monday in a counter-attack that forced residents to flee and rebels to hide their weapons in the desert.

The Libyan army was moving east down the strategic Mediterranean coastal road from the recaptured town of Bin Jawad, heading toward Ras Lanuf which is about 60 km (40 miles) away and which has a major oil complex.