Forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi recaptured on Thursday Libya's third largest city Misrata, 150 km from the capital Tripoli, Libya's official TV reported.

Meanwhile, pan-Arab Al-Jazeera TV said government forces bombarded Benina airport, about 10 km south of the rebel stronghold of Benghazi, Libya's second largest city.

Eyewitnesses confirmed the report, saying bursts of explosion and gunfire could be heard around the airport which serves Benghazi.