The priorities just now are to halt the advance of loyalist troops, bring some relief to the civilians in Misrata and encourage members of the regime to start looking for a way out.

ECONOMIST: The battle for Libya

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights - an activist group - reported loyalist troops bombing the town of Douma, near Damascus, and rebels battling troops at military checkpoints in the northern city of Idlib.

BBC: Russia's Lavrov says Beirut flights not Syria evacuation

Our correspondent says that many people have been killed in the fighting in Bangui including civilians, rebels and Chadian soldiers fighting alongside them, as well as loyalist troops and Libyan and Congolese fighters who are giving them support.

BBC: Chadians attacked in Bangui