International efforts are underway to help thousands of foreigners evacuate from Libya, while opposition rebels have held their ground in a key eastern oil town.
During a White House event Thursday U.S. President Barack Obama said the violence in Libya must end. He said Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi has lost his legitimacy to lead and must leave.
He also pledged U.S. support for those fleeing the violence in Libya.
Meanwhile, Libyan rebels maintained control in the town of Brega, about 800 kilometers east of the capital, Tripoli. The town is the site of a key oil installation and the rebels held their position despite government airstrikes.
The popular uprising against Gaddafi's 41-year rule has knocked out nearly 50 percent of Libya's 1.6 million barrels of oil output per day. The government says its refineries are operating normally.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.