Three days of attacks by forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi have halted production in rebel-held oil fields, a rebel spokesman said today.

The rebels, who have seized control of a swathe of eastern Libya since mid-February, have struck a deal with Qatar to market their oil.

The profits will go to the rebels' political leadership, who say they will pay salaries and buy food, medicine and arms to fight Colonel Gaddafi.

Abdel-Hafidh Ghoga said today that groups of armoured vehicles attacked the rebel-held oil fields of Misla and Sarir, slashing the meagre 100,000 barrels of oil produced daily by the rebels to zero.

Mr Ghoga said the rebels are still exporting oil from the one million barrels they have in storage, but he declined to give quantities.

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