China said Libya’s opposition leader will visit this week, further boosting Beijing’s engagement in Libya’s civil war and dealing another setback to dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

The United States is trying to free up some of the more than $30bn (€20.5bn) it has frozen in Libyan assets so it can support the rebels, US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton told a conference today.

Removing Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi is the best way to protect Libya's civilians, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said.

EU leaders are today set to demand that Colonel Muammar Gaddafi gives up power in Libya with immediate effect – just as his regime regains ground from rebel forces trying to overthrow him.

Hundreds of armed anti-government forces backed by military defectors who control the city closest to the capital Tripoli today prepared to repel an expected offensive by forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi surrounding Zawiya.

A Ukrainian newspaper is reporting that Muammar Gaddafi’s Ukrainian nurse is planning to flee the violence in Libya and return home as anti-government forces backed by rebel army troops are in control of the city closest to the capital Tripoli.

A member of the Benghazi city council said the Libyan cities under rebel control have appointed an ex-justice minister to lead a provisional government.

Muammar Gaddafi personally ordered the Lockerbie bombing that killed 270 people in 1988, Libya’s former justice minister has claimed.

Libya was in chaos tonight with anti-government protesters fiercely refusing to be cowed by threats amid swirling rumours that leader Muammar Gaddafi had fled the country.