EU leaders pledge action against Gaddafi as Libyan rebels stuggle to hold ground

European leaders agreed to new sanctions and promised to explore possible military action against Libya's government on Friday as forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi continued their onslaught against outgunned rebel fighters.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said an emergency EU summit in Brussels had produced "categorical and crystal-clear" consensus that Gaddafi must be removed from power, the UK Press Association reported. He warned that the full "horrors" being perpetrated by Gaddafi loyalists may not yet be known.

In addition to deciding fresh restrictions on financial bodies linked to Gaddafi's family, the summit agreed to continue planning for a possible no-fly zone to halt aerial attacks on rebels and civilians, PA said.

Ahead of the meeting, Bloomberg said EU leaders received a letter from French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Cameron urging them to agree on a no-fly zone, even as NATO officials said they lacked the authority to close Libyan air space.

The Guardian said the Sarkozy had insisted that air strikes would be justified against Gaddafi because of the threat the leader posed to his own people.

"The strikes would be solely of a defensive nature if Mr Gaddafi makes use of chemical weapons or air strikes against non-violent protesters," he said.

At a press conference concluding Friday's summit, Cameron said he had discussed the possibility of a no-fly zone with U.S. President Barack Obama, PA said.

"We are clear that action must be necessary, legal and win broad support," he said. "But we must be ready to act if the situation requires it. The EU agreed to consider all necessary options when it comes to these eventualities."

Echoing his comments, German Chancellor Angela Merkel added: "We want the dictator Gaddafi to step down. He is no legitimate interlocutor for us because he is waging war against his own people."

The New York Times said that Washington had decided on "a five-point plan" to isolate and remove Gaddafi without resorting to military force.

It said this included a "partial embrace" of rebel forces — who Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would meet next week — and threats to track down and bring to justice members of the Gaddafi regime accused of atrocities.

In the east Libyan rebel stronghold of Bengazi, the Guardian reported calls from opposition leaders for international airstrikes against Gaddafi's military assets.

"If you don't want to do something, you rely on the diplomatic side. It is not enough when people are dying," said Iman Bugaighis, a spokeswoman for the revolutionary council. "We need more than diplomacy. We need a no-fly zone but we need more than that. We need air strikes. I think they know where to bomb if they want to bomb. They know how to intervene. It's urgent."

Elswhere Libya, Gaddafi's troops continued their military offensive, appearing to have regained momentum against the rebels as they pounded the oil towns of Brega and Ras Lanuf with air strikes. Al Jazeera said there were pockets of resistance, even as the rebels were pushed back towards Bengazi.

"If Ras Lanuf was lost entirely, it would likely strike a strong blow to the rebels' morale," its correspondent said. "The rebels readily admit that they do not have the firepower to counter the pro-Gaddafi forces."

The reporter said large numbers of rebels had fled Ras Lanuf and the mood in Bengazi was "one of apprehension and tension" of what is going to happen in the next few days."

A day earlier in Tripoli, Gaddafi's son Seif Islam Gaddafi warned insurgents that troops loyal to his father were on their way.

"I have a message from Tripoli I want to send to our families and our brothers in the east," he told hundreds of supporters gathered in the capital, according to the LA Times. "To all the people — and there are hundreds and thousands of them from which I've had calls — my answer is two words, and these gangs must hear my answer: We're coming."

Libyan troops used tear gas and shot into the air to clear worshippers near a mosque in Tripoli on Friday, preventing any repeat of anti-Gaddafi protests staged in the city a week earlier, Reuters said.

But thousands took to the streets amid a carnival atmosphere in Bengazi calling for Gaddafi's removal, AFP said.

"Many people have died in our struggle in Ras Lanuf and in Benghazi, but the youth has chosen to fight on rather than see this rule continue, and they will fight for the sake of God," one religious leader proclaimed. "Victory is near."

— Barry Neild