TRIPOLI (AFP) - World powers vowed Tuesday to continue military action until Moammar Gaddafi stops his "murderous attacks" on Libyan civilians, as loud blasts rocked his stronghold in Tripoli.
At a meeting of more than 35 nations in London, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and British Prime Minister David Cameron said that allied air strikes would go on until the Libyan leader met UN demands for a ceasefire. Meanwhile, two loud explosions rocked the area close to Gaddafi's tightly-guarded residence, an AFP correspondent in the Libyan capital said.
France, a driving force behind the air campaign, was prepared to hold discussions with its allies over arming the rebels, Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said after the three-hour London meeting. His Italian counterpart Franco Frattini told AFP that "A consensus has been reached. Participants at the meeting unanimously said that Gaddafi must leave the country."
Gaddafi's forces had earlier checked the westward progress of anti-regime rebels towards his hometown of Sirte, an advance which began when Britain, France and the United States started air strikes on March 19.
On Tuesday, the rebels retreated 40 kilometres (25 miles) from their frontline positions to Nofilia, 100 kilometres from Sirte, which is the next big target in their efforts to oust Gaddafi as they head west towards Tripoli.
His forces unleashed barrages of artillery fire, triggering a stampede of rebel fighters, many fleeing aboard their pickup trucks.
Analysis: "Col. Gaddafi continues to show his superior firepower and military personnel when it comes to head-on clashes with rebels. Without support from NATO airstrikes, rebel forces are at an extreme disadvantage against Gaddafi, and it appears that NATO will need to increase its support of rebel fighters if Gaddafi's exit is to be ensured."
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