Libyan jet fighter crashes in rebel-held east

Tripoli: Witnesses say a Libyan jet fighter has crashed near Ras Lanouf a day after the eastern oil port city was overtaken by rebel forces fighting to oust Muammar Gaddafi.

Pictures taken by witnesses show the pilot's body and twisted wreckage from the plane. The cause of Saturday's crash couldn't immediately be determined.

Pro-Gaddafi forces have launched a number of airstrikes against rebel targets as they seek to put down the 19-day-old rebellion.

Rebels captured Ras Lanouf yesterday night, their first military victory in a potentially long and arduous westward march from the east of the country to Tripoli.