Libya: live report

He tells us a huge fire could be seen raging in the area of an oil facility. Every few minutes, another ball of flame shoots into the sky, he said.

Ali al-Aguri, an oil company mechanic who works at another plant further away told him: " I know for sure that what they blew up was an oil pipe. I know the whole line by heart," he said.

1201 GMT More in from the rebel-held town of Misrata, which has been under intense fire from pro-Kadhafi forces...

" Kadhafi forces are shelling Misrata randomly," a rebel spokesman -- who can't be named for security reasons -- tells AFP. " They are using mortars and rockets. They are firing on protesters gathered at Midan Tahrir (Liberation Square) in the city centre and tanks are also shelling houses as well."

1133 GMT Victims continue to arrive at the hospital in Ras Lanuf, AFP's correspondent there reports.

" We have two dead and 40 to 45 wounded," says Sami al-Saiti, a doctor at the hospital, adding that they are all Libyan rebels, except one French journalist who was hurt.

Rebel forces have retreated from Bin Jawad, saying they were outgunned in the clashes, and told AFP they were unsure whether to press on to Sirte, Kadhafi's home town as planned.

1124 GMT An update is coming in on the situation in Bin Jawad, where earlier 15 were reported injured. That number has now risen to at least 30, medics tell AFP. Two people have also died following the clashes between Libyan rebels and Kadhafi supporters in the hamlet west of Ras Lanuf.

1102 GMT Tanks have shelled the centre of rebel-held Misrata, a resident of Libya's third biggest city tells AFP, warning of " carnage" if the international community did not intervene.

" Tanks are shelling the centre of the city, near the radio headquarters. We are also hearing heavy automatic weapon fire," the resident says on condition of anonymity. Firing is clearly audible over the telephone.

" The residents are not armed. If the international community doesn't intervene quickly, there will be carnage," the witness adds.

1058 GMT Britain's Defence Secretary Liam Fox has confirmed that a " small British diplomatic team" is in Benghazi amid reports rebels in eastern Libya are holding a British special forces unit and junior diplomat.

" I can confirm that a small British diplomatic team is in Benghazi. We are in touch with them but it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on that for reasons I am quite sure you understand," Fox told BBC television.

Earlier, The Sunday Times newspaper, reported that the Special Air Service (SAS) soldiers -- thought to be up to eight men -- were captured along with the diplomat they were escorting through the rebel-held east.