MISURATA, Libya, April 9 (UPI) -- Rebels struggled to hold on Saturday in the city of Ajdabiya in eastern Libya only 100 miles from their stronghold, Benghazi.
Soldiers loyal to Moammar Gadhafi entered the town in pickup trucks, McClatchy Newspapers reported. Rebels and loyalists fought in the streets.
The BBC said the raid on Ajdabiya appeared to be more an effort to unsettle the rebels than a serious attempt to seize control of the city. Control of the city has shifted back and forth since the fighting began, and many civilians have left.
As the sun set, rebels said most of the loyalists were gone. State-run television showed what was described as video of Gadhafi supporters in Ajdabiya celebrating.
British jets destroyed seven tanks in Libya as the Arab League called a meeting on the conflict, officials said Saturday.
The Royal Air Force Tornadoes destroyed two tanks in Ajdabiya Friday and five in Misurata, both front lines in the war between rebels and dictator Moammar Gadhafi troops, the BBC reported.
A British military official said the jets attacked the tanks with Brimstone missiles and Paveway IV bombs.
The Arab League called a conference for Thursday in Cairo, Kuwaiti news agency KUNA reported.
Deputy Secretary-General Ahmad Bin Helli said the meeting was called at the behest of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Leaders of the African Union, the European Union and the Organization of Islamic Conference are expected to attend.
