Libyan troops troops loyal to Muammar Gaddafi launched counteroffensive attacks against a number of rebel-held towns yesterday as the uprising intensified into open warfare.

In Libya's Ras Lanuf, which is home to an important oil refinery, the fighting has been particularly heavy, rebels there say the town remains in their hands.

Al Jazeera's Jacky Rowland is there and has been talking to the rebels.