Thousands of troops loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi have advanced on the rebel-held western city of Misrata, shelling it from three sides in attacks that killed at least 12 rebels.
The offensive followed a lull in NATO bombing of Tripoli today, after 24 hours of some of the heaviest bombardments of the Libyan capital since air strikes began in March.
NATO defence ministers met in Brussels, but there were few signs of willingness to intensify their Libya mission, which has so far failed to oust Gaddafi.
The alliance says the bombing aims to protect civilians from the Libyan leader's military, which crushed popular protests against his rule in February, leaving many dead.
'Misrata is under heavy shelling ... Gaddafi forces are shelling Misrata from three sides: east, west and south,' rebel spokesman Hassan al-Misrati told Reuters from the town.
'He has sent thousands of troops from all sides and they are trying to enter the city. They are still outside, though.'
Doctors at the Hekmah hospital in central Misrata told Reuters reporters that at least 11 people have been killed and 35 wounded, many seriously.
There was no immediate comment from Gaddafi's government.
NATO sought broader support for the Western bombing campaign in Libya at today’s meeting, given that the alliance's air power has been stretched by the latest strikes on Tripoli.
'We want to see increased urgency in some quarters in terms of Libya,' British Defence Minister Liam Fox told reporters in Brussels.
But some NATO allies that have not taken part in the bombing said they would not alter their stance, and Sweden, a non-NATO participant, said it would scale down its role.
Of the 28 NATO allies, only eight, led by Britain and France, have been conducting air strikes on Gaddafi's forces.
A senior US official warned this week that fatigue was beginning to set in among the aircrews already committed.
NATO allies agree Gaddafi must go, but not all view military intervention as the best way to achieve this.
Germany, which opposed the Libyan intervention, said it understood the pressures on Britain and France but would not change its position.
Spain said it would not join the mission, despite now recognising the rebels as Libya's representatives.
