Muammar Gaddafi's forces were hammering rebels in the east and the west today as the Libyan leader intensified his offensive to retake control of the country he has ruled for more than four decades.

Government forces were pounding Ajdabiya with non-stop shelling in a bid to rout rebels holding out in the strategic eastern city.

The city's fall would open the way for Colonel Gaddafi's forces to advance further into the long stretch of eastern Libya which has been in the control of the opposition throughout the month-long uprising.

Residents say pro-Gaddafi troops also cut off communications today and began shelling Misrata - the last rebel-held city in the western half of the country.

Misrata rebel spokesman Saadoun al-Misrati said the shelling started at 7a.m. local time.