Fierce fighting broke out this morning between Muammar Gaddafi's forces and rebel fighters near the Libyan strongman's sprawling Bab al-Azizya residence in Tripoli.

Journalists at the nearby Rixos hotel were shaken by a loud explosion at around 9.00 am followed by the sound of rocket and heavy artillery fire.

Fighting raged in surrounding neighbourhoods while Nato planes flew over the city.

Soldiers from the regime were posted around the hotel, which houses 30 international journalists.

Water and electricity services were cut off at the hotel for a third day on  after they were restored for an hour during the night.

Muammar Gaddafi and his son Seif are believed to be holed up in the compound.

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