Libya rebels capture coastal city of Zawiya

A Libyan worker chats with two rebels in a vehicle as they patrol on the western outskirts of Zawiya city, Libya on Friday.

Libyan rebels are in full control of the strategic western city of Zawiya, pushing Muammar Qadhafi’s troops back on the road east to Tripoli.

An Associated Press reporter on Saturday visited positions held by the Qadhafi troops over the past week — all of which are now under rebel control.

Very distant shelling could be heard to the east of the city.

The victory in Zawiya is an important boost for the rebels as they try to tighten the noose on Col. Qadhafi’s stronghold in Tripoli, just 50 km to the east.

The regime appears to be increasingly isolated, and is scrambling to marshal all the forces available to it to hold back rebels at the western front.