Gaddafi vows not to surrender

The Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi has rejected the decision by the US and other countries to recognise the rebels fighting to oust him, and has vowed never to surrender.

Gaddafi said in an audio broadcast to thousands of supporters overnight that "the Libyan people will persevere. They will never give up."

Gaddafi's location is not known, but his comments were clearly addressing Friday's announcement that the United States and other nations have formally recognised Libya's main opposition group as the country's legitimate government until a new interim authority is formed.

That potentially frees up cash that the rebels fighting Libyan forces urgently need.

Meanwhile, 10 rebel fighters have been killed in an attack on a strategic eastern oil town, a medical official said today.

Mohammed Idris said that rebel forces entered the front-line town of Brega the night before and that government shelling and land mines killed 10 fighters.

He said rebel forces captured four government soldiers. It was unclear whether any other government troops were killed and whether the fighting had advanced the rebel front line.

Libya’s opposition received a boost on Friday when more than 30 nations including the US recognised the National Transitional Council.

But the civil war has fallen into a stalemate, with rebel forces unable to make significant advances, even while Nato bombs Gaddafi’s troops under a UN mandate to protect civilians.