Libya’s Gaddafi taunts NATO in televised message (VIDEO)

Libyan rebels claimed to take control of more territory in the besieged city of Misurata Saturday as overnight explosions rocked the capital, Tripoli.

A witness told Reuters that rebels, who have been battling the regime of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi for months, took control over the western entrance to Misurata.

"The revolutionaries (rebels) are in full control of al Dafiniya, the western entrance to Misurata," a witness named Ghassan told Reuters.

The western city has faced some of the worst fighting in the country, which has been experiencing a stalemate during which killings and brutalities have continued unabated. In a significant breakthrough, however, rebels seized control of the airport in Misurata earlier this week.

The ongoing fighting in Misurata comes as an audio message reportedly of Gaddafi taunting NATO was broadcast across the country on state television. In the message, Gaddafi tells NATO forces that they cannot kill him.

“I tell the coward crusaders — I live in a place where you can’t get to and kill me,’’ a voice sounding like Gaddafi said, as reported by the Associated Press. “I live in the hearts of millions.’’

The recordings were played after Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said that NATO air strikes probably wounded Gaddafi and that he probably left Tripoli.

A NATO spokeswoman dismissed Gaddafi's comments, saying he is not the target.

“We are not targeting him, our targets are solely military,’’ spokeswoman Carmen Romero told AP.

An unnamed NATO official told Sky News that the alliance does not need to kill Gaddafi because his troops' loyalty will continue to fade.

"We don't need to find him because as we continue to strike his troops there is growing evidence that their loyalty will end and when that happens his dictatorship will end and the Libyan people will have the freedom they deserve."

NATO forces have been bombing Libya as part of a U.N. mandate to protect civilians and prevent more casualties.

However, Libyan forces accused NATO of killing 18 people including 11 imams in a guesthouse in the eastern city of Brega on Friday.

The Libyan regime denounced the attack.

"This is the most horrendous, terrible attack so far," spokesman Mussa Ibrahim told Sky News.

He said NATO attacked the guesthouse in Brega after religious leaders and civilians had gathered there.

NATO officials, who said the air strike killed 11 people, said it was directed at a command and control center, reports Reuters.

"We are aware of allegations of civilian casualties in connection to this strike and although we cannot independently confirm the validity of the claim, we regret any loss of life by innocent civilians when they occur," NATO said in a statement