Forces loyal to embattled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi withdrew from the outskirts of the eastern oil town of Brega, Al-Arabiya TV said, citing an eyewitness.

Earlier reports said rebels controlled the eastern areas in the city, one of the cities which have been taken and retaken again and again by rebels and government forces.

The town has a great significance as it, along with the eastern town of Ras Lanuf, makes up the lion's share of Libya's 1.5 million oil barrels of daily exports, which have been radically affected by the uprising that began on Feb. 15.