Libyan rebels said troops loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi started to send reinforcements towards the western town of Zawiyah, a city which witnessed fierce clashes between rebels and pro-Gaddafi troops, Al-Jazerra news network reported on Saturday.

But later an eyewitness said the clashes had ended, but pro- Gaddafi troops set up security checks in the middle of the city.

"The battle was deadly and it began from 6 a.m. (0400 GMT) to 10 a.m. (0800 GMT) and I saw with my eyes three bodies were buried, " Mohamed Kasem, a political activist, told the TV.