Rebels in Libya are retreating from their former strongholds along the eastern coast as they come under attack from leader Muammar Gaddafi's forces.
Several thousand people have been killed and thousands wounded since the uprising against Colonel Gaddafi regime began more than six weeks ago.
Western forces led by the US, France and Britain began air attacks on Libyan government troops on 19 March in order to enforce a United-Nations-sanctioned no-fly zone and protect civilians. NATO assumed responsibility for the military operation earlier this week.
The rebels have now lost the key oil port of Ras Lanuf and the nearby town of Bin Jawad, and are also in full retreat from Brega, the BBC reports.
In the west, the rebel-held town of Misrata is still coming under attack from pro-Gaddafi troops, reports say.
In Ajdabiya, the BBC reports said that the rebels are essentially now in retreat as they cannot compete with the discipline and fire-power of government forces.
The current situation is a dramatic about-turn for the rebels who had seized a string of towns along the coast at the weekend and seemed to be making good progress.
British Prime Minister David Cameron on Wednesday joined United States President Barack Obama in saying he will not rule out supplying arms to rebels.
However, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says the international forces taking action in Libya do not have the right to arm the rebels.
