Troops loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi sent tanks to storm into the town of Misurata, 200 km east of the capital Tripoli, on Sunday in an attempt to retake the city, which reportedly was still controlled by rebels, Al- Jazerra news network said, citing eyewitnesses.

Al-Jazerra said tanks shelled Misurata, Libya's third biggest city, to storm into the center of the city.

Another eyewitness said leaflets are being dropped over the city to warn its residents against joining an uprising aimed to bring down Gaddafi, in power for 42 years, the TV said.