BENGHAZI, Libya—Rebels in Libya’s east say they have fallen back after a failed advance on the oil town of Brega that left one fighter dead.

Fighter Abdel-Hamid Badein said Friday that rebels advanced on the town only to be pushed back by Moammar Gadhafi’s troops. After the Thursday clash, rebels returned to their positions farther east.

Rebel military spokesman Ahmed Bani said one rebel was killed and eight injured.

The Libyan government Thursday described the rebel advance as “a full-scale attack” and said it was repelled.

Fighting in Libya’s east between government troops and rebels seeking to oust Gadhafi has stagnated for months, with the government holding Brega and rebels unable to dislodge them.