Forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi have retaken the town of Brega, east of Tripoli, and some towns between Tripoli and the Tunisian border in the West, according to international media reports.

Sabratha is also reported to have fallen back to the Gaddafi forces and Azawiyah, which is actually closer to the capital, remains under attack.

Tripoli, meanwhile, remains calm and some normality has returned, although there was alarm this morning when an explosion was heard and an oil tanker was seen overturned in the heart of the capital. The incident may have been unrelated to the current turmoil, but pro-Gaddafi supporters immediately fathered, voicing government support.

Meanwhile, a humanitarian crisis is rapidly growing across the border in Tunisia as tens of thousands of refugees cross over from Libya and are housed in tents.

The United Nations has called for immediate help, with the Secretary General saying 'time is of the essence'.

In the rebel-held East of Libya, the provisional government has been organising an army to resist any counter-attack by Gaddafi forces and to 'liberate Tripoli'. Hundreds have volunteers and are receiving basic training. (see video).