Muammar Gaddafi has declared in an audio message that he was beyond the reach of Nato bombs, following a government denial of an Italian claim that the Libyan leader was wounded and on the run.

Libyan rebels on Wednesday pinned down Muammar Gaddafi's troops at the airport of the city of Misrata after a night of fierce battles, as the UN chief urged Tripoli to halt attacks on civilians.

The

Jets screamed in low over Tripoli early on Tuesday, carrying out a series of strikes in quick succession, after witnesses reported two others near state media offices a few hours before.

Eight explos

Libyan rebels fought a fierce battle with forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi near the airport at the western city of Misrata on Sunday as NATO planes targeted government ammunition stores on another fron

Forces loyal to Libya's Muammar Gaddafi are hiding tanks and artillery and using 'shoot and scoot' tactics in Misrata, frustrating NATO air efforts to break a weeks-long siege of the rebel-held Libyan

Muammar Gaddafi's government was mulling extending on Wednesday a deadline for rebels in Libya's third city Misrata to lay down their arms after the deputy foreign minister said scores had surrendered.

A defiant Muammar Gaddafi vowed on Saturday not to quit power in Libya but called for talks to end the conflict, even as his forces pressed their offensive against the key rebel-held port city of Misrata.

The Libyan opposition Transitional National Council (TNC) on Saturday rejected calls for talks by strongman Muammar Gaddafi, saying he had no role to play in the north African nation's future.

"The t

The Libyan Opposition Transitional National Council (TNC) on Saturday rejected calls for talks by strongman Muammar Gaddafi, saying he had no role to play in the North African nation's future.

Loud explosions and gunfire rocked the Libyan city of Misrata on Friday as fighting between rebels and Muammar Gaddafi's forces raged for control of the airport, an AFP correspondent said.