Gaddafi forces 'driven back from border'

Colonel Gaddafi's forces continued to bombard Misrata today as his forces appeared to have been driven back from areas near the Tunisian border.

Gaddafi's hold on the area west of Tripoli was thought to be total after he suppressed uprisings in Zuwara and Zawiya. But this morning rebels were said to have taken control of the border crossing and clashes were reported in the small cities of Zintan and Nalut.

Meanwhile heavy mortar fire on the besieged city of Misrata resulted in the death of at least 10 civilians, with around 100 more injured. Italy has announced it will join Britain and France in sending military advisers to Libya. It said 10 servicemen would join the 20 promised by London and 10 from Paris.