Muammar Gaddafi’s forces seized a strategic town in eastern Libya on Tuesday, opening the way to the rebel stronghold of Benghazi while world powers failed to agree to push for a no-fly zone.

Col. Muammar Gaddafi’s troops seized the strategic Libyan oil town of Brega Sunday, forcing the rebels to retreat under heavy bombardment while world powers considered imposing a no-fly zone.

Col. Muammar Gaddafi’s forces struck at rebel control of oil export hubs in Libya’s east for a second day on Thursday as Arab states weighed a plan to end turmoil Washington said could make the nation “a giant Somalia”.

Muammar Gaddafi launched a land and air offensive to retake territory in Libya’s east at dawn on Wednesday, sparking a rebel call for foreign airstrikes on African mercenaries they said were helping him stay in power.