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Fighting between rebels and forces loyal to Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi has been continuing in key cities after a fifth consecutive night of air strikes by international forces.

Overnight, several loud explosions were heard in the capital, Tripoli. In the rebel-held city of Misrata, east of Tripoli, government tanks have been shelling the area near the hospital.

There have also been reports of fierce fighting between rebels and pro-Gaddafi forces in strategic Ajdabiya.

Residents fleeing the town described shelling, gunfire and houses on fire.

There are reports of Western air strikes hitting the Tajura district of the capital, Libyan military sources and media have said.

The French military has said French air strikes hit a Libyan air base in the interior of the country overnight.

The strikes hit a base about 250km (155 miles) south of the Libyan coastline, French military spokesman Col Thierry Burkhard told reporters. He did not give any further information on the location of the target or the damage.

Western military planes were also reported to have hit the town of Sebha in southern Libya, according to residents and media reports.

Source: Nation News Barbados