The EU is holding an emergency summit in Brussels in the hope of finding a common approach to the political and humanitarian crisis. France has urged other states to follow it in recognizing the rebel's interim council, but has so far failed to gain wider support.

The summit comes as forces loyal to Col Gaddafi make major gains.

Western journalists in the city of Zawiya, west of Tripoli, have confirmed the Gaddafi regime's claims that the city has fallen after days of bombardment.

There are reports of fresh air strikes near the oil port of Ras Lanuf to the east, which had been held by the rebels for many days.