Forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi have unleashed a renewed bombardment on the rebel-held western city of Misurata, using mortars, tanks, and artillery.
Misurata, Libya’s third-largest city, is the last major rebel outpost in western Libya but has been under siege by government troops.
In the east, rebels regained ground around the oil port of Brega on April 6 but repeated accusations that NATO was not doing enough to help them.
Qaddafi’s government has meanwhile accused Britain of bombing a major oil field.
Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim said the bombing of the Sarir oil field damaged a pipeline connecting the field to a Mediterranean port.
Britain is part of the NATO force enforcing a UN-mandated no-fly zone over Libya.
Qaddafi is reported to have sent a letter to President Barack Obama, urging the U.S. leader to end what Qaddafi called “an unjust war.”
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has reiterated the U.S. position that Qaddafi must go.
compiled from agency reports