The Libyan army has issued an ultimatum to residents of the opposition capital, Benghazi.
It warned residents to leave rebel-held locations and weapons storage areas by 2200 GMT, Libyan television reported.
A text on the screen of Al-Libya television addressed inhabitants of the eastern city, saying the army was coming 'to support you and to cleanse your city from armed gangs.
'It urges you to keep out by midnight of areas where the armed men and weapon storage areas are located.'
It was not clear whether this warning would be followed by any action.
However, in the minutes after the deadline, residents said the city was quiet.
Gaddafi said on Lebanon's LBC TV he did not expect a battle in Benghazi, seat of the insurgents' provisional national council, and that Libyan people have been helping get rid of 'al-Qaeda' elements there.
Muammar Gaddafi's son, Saif, had earlier claimed that the rebellion would be over in 48 hours.
Libyan rebels fought back against Gaddafi's troops around the eastern town of Ajdabiyah today, hampering their push towards Benghazi.
Government forces captured Ajdabiyah, 150km south of Benghazi on the Gulf of Sirte, yesterday.
International reaction
Meanwhile, French President Nicolas Sarkozy has urged the UN Security Council to immediately back a draft resolution that would include a no-fly zone over Libya.
Mr Sarkozy made the request in a letter addressed to the heads of state of the United Nations Security Council members.
Britain is also in favour of a no fly-zone over Libya to stop Muammar Gaddafi attacking rebels from the air
Prime Minister David Cameron today called on the international community to 'take the right steps' in tackling Gaddafi.
Mr Cameron said the draft resolution would ban all but humanitarian flight and strengthen measures against Colonel Gaddafi.
He said: 'Of course there are a wide range of views in the UN but I would urge those to take the right steps so that actually we show some leadership on this issue and make sure that we can get rid of this regime.'
A communiqué issued by G8 foreign ministers yesterday made no mention of a no-fly zone.
Russia and China are thought to be opposing the move, while the US and Germany have also voiced doubts about the move.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for an immediate cease-fire in the north African country
A statement read out by UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said Mr Ban was 'gravely concerned' about signs of a forthcoming government assault on the eastern city of Benghazi.
