Libyan rebels have seized a village near the capital, Tripoli, following a battle with forces loyal to leader Moammar Gadhafi.

Rebels said Wednesday they had gained control of al-Qawalish, which is located about 100 kilometers southwest of Tripoli.

Earlier Wednesday, the rebel fighters used heavy arms to push into the mountainous area. Witnesses said they could hear NATO warplanes overhead.

Meanwhile, a Libyan rebel delegation headed by Transitional National Council leader Mahmoud Jebril will meet with NATO and EU officials in Brussels next week.

NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen announced the meeting on Wednesday — the same that Libya announced plans to charge TNC leaders with a series of national security crimes.

A judge said 21 officials in the opposition group would face charges.

Earlier this week, at least 11 Libyan rebels were killed in clashes with pro-government forces near the opposition-held city of Misrata. Medics and rebels said the deaths occurred late Monday and Tuesday after forces loyal to Mr. Gadhafi shelled targets on the outskirts of the city.