Ultimatum for Gaddafi

The latest development in the Libyan crisis is the US issuing an ultimatum demanding the immediate pull-out of Libyan forces and a halt to the offensive against the rebels.

US President Barack Obama has said Libyan government forces must end their offensive against rebel-held towns and pull back or face military action.

He said the terms of a UN Security Council resolution backing action to defend civilians were "not negotiable".

Col Muammar Gaddafi's government has declared a unilateral ceasefire, as attack plans are drawn up against him under the UN resolution.

There are reports government offensives are continuing despite the ceasefire.

Libyan officials have dismissed these reports as untrue and say international observers are being invited to Libya to verify the situation.