Large explosions have been heard in the rebel-held eastern Libyan city of Benghazi. Residents say, forces loyal to leader Moamar Gaddafi are attacking the rebel stronghold. According to Media reports, a plane bombed an area south-west of Benghazi and two columns of smoke were seen rising from the targeted zone. The sound of the aircraft could be heard from the centre of the city, where explosions could be heard overnight. There has also been continued fighting around the town of Ajdabiya, 160 kilometres from Benghazi. Libya's Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaaim told a news conference in Tripoli that armed militias had been attacking government troops at Al Magrun, which is about halfway between Ajdabiya and Benghazi. He said government troops would not fire back and he denied rebel claims that government troops were continuing their relentless advance on Benghazi. Meanwhile, France is due to host in a few hours what it said would be a decisive summit with the European Union, Arab League and African Union, as well as UN chief Ban Ki-moon, on taking UN-sanctioned military action in Libya. France's Ambassador to the UN, Gerard Araud, said he expected military intervention within hours of the summit.