(Al Jazeera English: 0950 PST, March 17, 2011) Fierce clashes have been reported from the cities of Ajdabiyah and Misurata, and air strikes by government forces in the opposition stronghold of Benghazi, as the crisis in Libya continues.

Opposition fighters say they fear that pro-Gaddafi forces will encircle the towns they control on the country's east coast, even as government forces launch a renewed offensive against them. Al Jazeera's Nazanine Sadri reports.

(Euronews: 1322 PST, March 11, 2011) Rebels in the east of Libya, on the outskirts of Ras Lanuf, have been bombarded by Gaddafi's soldiers. The battle rhythm and the facts are constantly moving. The opposing forces claim an air strike by government planes hit storage tanks of the state owned oil processing company. From a Gaddafi spokesman there was a flat denial.

(Al Jazeera English: 1300 PST, March 11, 2011) At a summit in Brussels, European Union leaders say they are calling with one voice for the current Libyan government to step down immediately.

The EU stopped short, however, of endorsing a no-fly zone or other military measures. Leaders say they have done a great deal in a short amount of time, in terms of imposing sanctions and putting in place humanitarian aid packages.

Al Jazeera's Alan Fisher reports from Brussels, Belgium.

(Al Jazeera English: 0622 PST, March 11, 2011) Forces loyal to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi have renewed their assault against opposition fighters in Libya. As the military accelerates its onslaught, the rebels appear to be losing their grip over several cities that they had earlier taken control of.

In Az Zawiyah, near the capital Tripoli, rebels say they still control the city centre, but fierce clashes have been reported. In Brega, a key oil and gas hub, fighters have reported multiple airstrikes by government forces. The hospital there is attending to many of the wounded.

In Ras Lanuf, another oil town, government forces are pushing hard, showering the city with rockets and tank shells, and forcing the rebels to retreat 15 kilometres to the east. Al Jazeera's Omar Al Saleh reports.

(ITN News: 1630 PST, March 9, 2011) Forces loyal to Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi claim they have taken the western city of Zawiyah back from rebels.