On the frontline in Ras Lanuf, Libya - in pictures

A rebel reads Islamic prayers next to his weapons Photograph: Asmaa Waguih/Reuters

Rebels prepare their weapons in case of air strikes Photograph: Asmaa Waguih/Reuters

Rebel fighters drive past camels near Ras Lanuf Photograph: Goran Tomasevic/Reuters

Rebel fighters run for cover as shells explode during clashes with forces loyal to the Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, a few kilometres outside the oil town Photograph: Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images

Rebels attack government troops as a natural gas facility burns Photograph: John Moore/Getty Images

A rebel fighter lies on the ground as shells from loyalist forces fall nearby Photograph: Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images

Rebels look at smoke rising from an oil pipe just outside Ras Lanuf Photograph: Marco Longari/AFP/Getty Images

A rebel fighter is carried into a hospital after being injured while fighting government troops Photograph: John Moore/Getty Images

Rebels take positions while fighting government troops as a natural gas facility burns Photograph: John Moore/Getty Images

Volunteers in Ras Lanuf cheer as smoke rises from the oil port of Sidra Photograph: Tara Todras-Whitehill/AP

Rebels walk the streets during a lull in fighting Photograph: Marco Longari/AFP/Getty Images

Volunteers sit at a checkpoint on the outskirts of Ras Lanuf Photograph: Tara Todras-Whitehill/AP

A rebel youth sits at the entrance to a block of flats in an alley Photograph: Marco Longari/AFP/Getty Images

A wounded rebel fighter is brought to a clinic Photograph: Marco Longari/AFP/Getty Images

Rebels fire Katusha rockets at government troops on the frontline Photograph: John Moore/Getty Images

A rebel reads the Qur'an near a checkpoint at Ras Lanuf Photograph: Asmaa Waguih/Reuters

Rebels wait for news of wounded comrades at the morgue of Brega's hospital Photograph: Marco Longari/AFP/Getty Images

Rebels fire a rocket-propelled grenade at a fighter jet in Ras Lanuf Photograph: John Moore/Getty Images

Rebels pause at a checkpoint after fleeing the fighting in Ras Lanuf Photograph: John Moore/Getty Images

Rebel fighters prepare to leave Ras Lanuf Photograph: Goran Tomasevic/Reuters

Shrapnel flies through the air as a tank shell explodes near rebel fighters Photograph: Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images