The United States and the European Union have again called on the Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi to step down.
US President Barack Obama said he believed international sanctions, an arms embargo and other measures already in place were having an impact but also said a no-fly zone remained an option.
EU leaders said on Friday they would consider all options to force leader Gaddafi to step down, but made no mention of a no-fly zone over Libya in their final communique.
British and French leaders had wanted leaders of the European Union's 27 member states to draw up plans to prepare to help the Libyan rebellion, including the possibility of a no-fly zone, the BBC reports.
This would prevent pro-Gaddafi troops launching attacks from the air - currently the primary advantage the regime's troops have as they push back the rebel forces.
But many other EU leaders were not keen on the idea of a no-fly zone.
Meanwhile, Libyan opposition fighters have come under further intense fire in the town of Ras Lanuf from forces loyal to Colonel Gaddafi.
Four planes bombed a refinery and a rebel checkpoint near Ras Lanuf and government troops are continuing a fierce battle in the town itself, forcing many rebels to retreat further east.
The opposition forces had captured many eastern towns in recent weeks in an uprising that followed protests inspired by the revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia.
