Forces loyal to Libyan leader Muamer Gaddafi launched a counterattack on Sunday against rebel advance positions 50 kilometres (30 miles) southwest of Tripoli, an AFP correspondent reported.

Loyalist forces fired half a dozen Grad rockets into the hamlet of Gualish. The rebels replied with anti-tank fire as they sought to maintain their grip on Gualish, a key gateway on the road to the capital Tripoli which they seized on Wednesday.