Libya: Gaddafi forces keep up assault on rebel cities
Overnight several loud explosions were heard in Tripoli.
In Misrata, a rebel-held city east of the capital, government tanks have been shelling the area near the hospital.
There have also been reports of fierce fighting between rebels and pro-Gaddafi forces in strategic Ajdabiya. Residents fleeing the town described shelling, gunfire and houses on fire.
In Misrata, Libya's third-largest city, witnesses had said on Wednesday that tanks had pulled back from their positions under air assault from international forces.
But later residents said the tanks had rolled back into the city and resumed shelling.
An explosion was also reported at a military base in the Tajura region east of Tripoli.
Residents in Tripoli said plumes of black smoke could be seen coming from an area near a military base, although this has not been independently confirmed.
Earlier, the US chief of staff for the mission in Libya insisted there had been no reports of civilian casualties caused by allied action.
Rear Admiral Gerard Hueber's comments come despite claims to the contrary by Muammar Gaddafi's government; Kazinform cites BBC News.
See www.bbc.co.uk for full story