Forces loyal to Libyan leader Mummar Gaddafi regained control of Misurata, the third largest city in the country, after several days of fighting with anti- government insurgents, the state TV reported on Sunday.

However, Al-Arabiya news network contradicted the official report and said rebels have managed to retake Misurata, 200 km east of capital Tripolis, despite troops loyal to Gaddafi sent tanks to storm into the city.

Al-Jazeera news network cited eyewitnesses as saying leaflets were dropped over the city to warn residents against joining an unrest aimed to bring down Gaddafi, in power for 42 years.

In Tripolis, Xinhua reporters heard heavy gunfire since early Sunday morning, which the government spokesman Mousar Ibrahim said was Gaddafi supporters celebrating the recapture of Misurata. Besides, supporters set fireworks, drove cars around the city, pressing trumpets, and thousands of them gathered at the Green Square in downtown the capital to celebrate the "victory."

The Libyan government said on Saturday that forces have completely regained control of Zawiya, some 40 km west of Tripoli after two days of fighting, and it added its forces have been fighting with anti-government insurgents in al-Brega and Ras Lanuf, two major oil export port cities in east of the country.

Al-Arabiya's correspondent in Ras Lanuf said Gaddafi's troops stationed in the city's border, while Al-Jazeera TV said rebels shot down a helicopter.

Also on Sunday, Al-Arabiya, citing eyewitnesses, said Libyan rebels took over the town of Tobruk near the Egyptian border, where the situation returned to normal.