19 March 2011
Last updated at 02:53 ET
Leaders from Britain, the US, France and Arab countries are due to meet in Paris to discuss military action in Libya under a new UN resolution.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who is also attending, said the world must “speak with one voice” on Libya.
The resolution authorised “all necessary measures” to protect Libyans.
Despite the UN’s declaration of a no-fly zone over Libya, fighter jets have been seen over the rebel-held city of Benghazi and explosions heard nearby.
The rebels said they were being forced to retreat by Muammar Gaddafi’s forces, who they said were just 20km (12.5 miles) outside Benghazi, Reuters reported, although it has not been possible to independently confirm reports of fighting.
Getting ready
Earlier, US President Barack Obama said pro-Gaddafi forces must stop attacking rebel areas or face military action.
“Gaddafi must stop his troops from advancing on Benghazi, pull them back from Ajdabiya, Misrata and Zawiya and establish water, electricity and gas supplies to all areas,” he said on Friday.
Analysis
The rebels’ clear expectation now is that British, French or American bombardment will contribute to a speedy and complete defeat for Muammar Gaddafi and he will swiftly be forced from office.
But there is an uneasy recognition of a more difficult possible outcome too.
If UN intervention stops pro-Gaddafi forces in their tracks but does not then destroy them, it may preserve the temporary partition of Libya between government and rebel-controlled sectors.
But in line with the resolution, Mr Obama ruled out using US ground forces.
On Friday Col Muammar Gaddafi’s government declared a unilateral truce but there were reports that government offensives in rebel-held towns were continuing.
The BBC’s Ian Pannell in Benghazi, the main rebel-held city, says there were loud explosions to the west early on Saturday and a jet was seen flying overhead, but it was impossible to verify whether it was an attack by Col Gaddafi’s forces.
The Libyan foreign minister had earlier asserted that the government was observing a ceasefire.
Our correspondent says if this was such an attack it would be a very serious development and put more pressure on the international community to begin military action quickly.
Both sides have accused each other of breaking the ceasefire declared by Col Gaddafi’s government.
The Security Council vote called for an immediate ceasefire and endorsed the use of force – including a no-fly zone aimed at preventing pro-Gaddafi forces from bombing rebel-held towns.
The British and French, along with some Arab allies, are expected to play a leading role in any initial air strikes.
The French ambassador to the UN, Gerard Araud, told the BBC that he expected military intervention within hours of Saturday’s summit.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron – who is attending the meeting – has said British war planes are being moved to bases in the region.
“The clock is ticking and we must be ready to act quickly,” said Mr Cameron.
Strength of outrage
Saturday’s summit will be hosted by French President Nicolas Sarkozy. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will represent the Obama administration.
BBC diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall says it is a chance to demonstrate to the Gaddafi government, and to the rest of the world, the strength of outrage at his actions and the determination to stop him.
The US Navy is deploying additional warships to the Mediterranean to support possible military action.
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President Obama: Colonel Gaddafi has received “ample warning”
The commander in charge of planning for the no-fly zone will be US Adm Samuel Locklear, the BBC’s Mark Urban has learnt.
Denmark and Canada have said they will supply fighter jets, with Italy, Spain and France making air bases available.
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE and Jordan could be among Arab states taking part.
Nato is already providing 24-hour surveillance over Libya with its Awacs planes.
Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Nato was “completing its planning to be ready to take appropriate action in support of the UN resolution as part of the broad international effort.”
The US ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, told CNN that Col Gaddafi was already in violation of the UN Security Council resolution.
Col Gaddafi has ruled Libya for more than 40 years.
An uprising against him began last month after long-time leaders of neighbouring Tunisia and Egypt were toppled.
Al-Jazeera reported him on Friday as saying that the UN resolution was “blatant colonialism” that “does not have any justification”.
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Summit set to decide Libya action