Libya 101: A primer on key battleground cities

Reports from Libya are a constant flurry of cities gained and lost by Muammar Qaddafi's forces and rebel troops, and it's hard to keep track if you don't know where these cities are or why they matter. Here's an quick explanation, with cities listed west to east.

Zawiyah

Rich Clabaugh/Staff
Map of Libya.

Zawiyah, located about 30 miles west of Tripoli along the coastline, is one of Libya’s largest cities and the closest one to the capital to have been held by rebels. Zawiyah holds one of the country’s major oil refineries and is situated near a set of oil fields. It’s also home to a major university.

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