Col Gaddafi's son, Saif al-Islam, has said that he will "never ever surrender" to rebels he described as terrorists.

He also confirmed that three Dutch soldiers seized last month during a failed attempt to evacuate two civilians by navy helicopter would be freed.

Saif al-Islam also said that Libya is "united and so strong", and would reject any intervention by Nato.

Nato defence ministers met to discuss military options in the Libyan conflict, which has raged since mid-February when opponents to Col Gaddafi's 41-year rule seized many towns in eastern Libya.