Forces loyal to Muammar Gaddhafi’s loyalists shelled a mountain town and clashed with opposition forces in a besieged coastal city today as the Libyan leader sought to quell resistance in the western part of the country that is largely under his control.

Thousands of Libyans are being forced to flee into Tunisia after forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi’s forces began shelling mountain towns in the west of the country Libya, rebel leaders said today.