Muammar Gaddafi’s forces pushed rebels back from the centre of the strategic city of Zawiya today in fierce fighting to try to prevent the opposition from consolidating a major advance to within 30 miles of the capital Tripoli.

A Brazilian journalist missing in Libya for a week has been jailed but is about to be released, a report says.

Libyan rebels have fought off an attempt by Muammar Gaddafi's troops to retake a key oil town in a day-long battle.

The West sent its first real aid to Libyan rebels today hoping to support their bid to overthrow Muammar Gaddafi.

Cracks in Muammar Gaddafi’s once-total rule spread rapidly across Libya today.

The son of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi went on state television to proclaim that his father remained in charge with the army’s backing and would “fight until the last man, the last woman, the last bullet”.

MILITARY bands, 400 dancers, aerobatic planes and fireworks last night electrified a hot and drowsy Tripoli as its leader Muammar Gaddafi threw Libya’s biggest party to mark four decades since taking power.