Gaddafi loyalists hit rebel targets

Foreign mercenaries and Libyan militiamen loyal to Muammar Gaddafi tried to roll back the uprising against his rule that has advanced closer to his stronghold in Tripoli, attacking two nearby cities in battles that killed at least 17 people.

But rebels made new gains, seizing a military air base, as Mr Gaddafi blamed Osama bin Laden for the upheaval.