Gaddafi forces halt Misratah fighting

As fighting between pro-Gaddafi forces and the revolutionaries intensifies in Libya, the government claims it is prepared to withdraw its forces from Misratah and allow local tribes to persuade the revolutionaries to lay down their arms.

There are conflicting reports on the raging battle for the eastern city of Misratah and the reported number of casualties there.

The army insists that it has not withdrawn from the city while revolutionaries in Misratah have declared victory over the regime's forces.

State media reported that Western coalition forces dropped bombs on various targets across the Libyan capital of Tripoli on Saturday. The reports added that heavy anti-aircraft and automatic arms fire were heard in Tripoli.

The state media earlier reported that NATO airstrikes killed and wounded several people in the capital.

Separately, the cities of Khums, Gharyan and Sirt have also been targeted by NATO bombing raids.

Saturday marked the first time that the US military used its Predator drones to bomb Libya.

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates says President Barack Obama has approved the use of armed Predator drones to improve the precision of strikes in Libya.

However, US military and the CIA did not release any further details on such operations. Sources say predators were already being used for intelligence and reconnaissance missions in Libya.

Libya's deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Khaim has recently warned that the drone bombings would increase civilian casualties.

"They (the drones) will kill more civilians and this is very sad," Khaim said on Friday.

He also added that the use of US predator drones would amount to crimes against humanity.