A spokesman has read out a letter on behalf of the Libyan leader Col Gaddafi to US President Barack Obama, closely followed by one jointly aimed at France, the UK and the UN.

The tone of the messages was markedly different. The one to President Obama stuck a consolatory tone, while the other was more aggressive - accusing David Cameron, Nicholas Sarkozy and the Ban ki-Moon of meddling in Libyan affairs.

The statement, made by Mussa Ibrahim, came amid reports that Pro-Gaddafi tanks have entered the rebel stronghold of Benghazi.