Libyan troops pushed forward towards the insurgent stronghold of Benghazi today and launched air raids on its outskirts as momentum gathered in support of air raids to stop Muammar Gadafy's forces.
A draft UN Security Council resolution will be put to a vote later to authorise a no-fly zone over Libya and allow Arab states and others in co-operation with the United Nations to protect Libyan civilians, including the rebel-held city of Benghazi.
If adopted, the resolution, obtained by Reuters, would allow "all necessary measures" to be taken "to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack in (Libya), including Benghazi, while excluding an occupation force".
The Libyan Defence Ministry warned today any foreign attack on the country would endanger air and maritime traffic in the Mediterranean basin and expose the area to both short and long term risks.
In the statement, broadcast on State television, the ministry said Libya would strike back at civilian and foreign targets if the country comes under attack from foreign forces.
The push towards action at the Security Council comes as pro-Gadafy forces have made rapid advances in their counter-attack against the rebels.
US undersecretary of state William Burns said Col Gadafy's forces had made "significant strides on the ground" and were now about 160km from Benghazi.
The Libyan army, which has been attacking rebel-held cities in the east and west of the country, said it would halt its operations on Sunday to give the rebels a chance to surrender, Al Arabiya television reported.
Libyan state television said government troops had taken Zueitina, an oil port on the coastal highway 130km from Benghazi, but the rebels said they had surrounded the pro-Gadafy units on the approaches to the town.
In Benghazi, the city where the revolution began, residents and a rebel spokesman reported three air strikes on the outskirts, including at the airport, and another air raid further south.
Residential areas of Ajdabiyah, a strategic town on the coast road to Benghazi, was the scene of heavy fighting today, and around 30 people were killed, Al Arabiya reported.
On the approaches to Ajdabiyah, burned-out cars lay by the roadside while Libyan government forces showed the foreign media artillery, tanks and mobile rocket launchers - much heavier weapons than those used by the rebels.
In Libya's third city, Misrata, about 200km east of Tripoli, rebels and residents said they were preparing for a new attack by Libyan troops, who had shelled the coastal city overnight. A government spokesman said Col Gadafy's forces expected to be in control of Misrata by Friday morning.
The United States, previously cool on the idea of a foreign military intervention, said the UN Security Council should consider tougher action than a no-fly zone over Libya.
Discussions are under way on the possible direct involvement of Arab nations in any international military action against Col Gadafy, US secretary of state Hillary Clinton said.
Col Gadafy, in an interview with the French daily Le Figaro, said his troops' aim was to liberate the people from "the armed gangs" that occupy Benghazi.
"If we used force, it would take just a day. But our aim is to progressively dismantle the armed groups, through various means, such as encircling cities or sending negotiators."
Asked if dialogue with the rebels was possible, he repeated his assertion that they were linked to the al-Qaeda Islamic militant group. "These are not people with whom we aim to talk, as al-Qaeda does not talk with anybody."
On the fate of the rebel leadership, he said: "It is quite possible they will flee. Anyway, it's not really a structure. It has no value."
Reuters