Gaddafi announces ceasefire, marches towards Benghazi.

A fighter plane has been shot down and plunged into Benghazi after a night of large explosions and shelling in and around the Libyan rebel stronghold. Fighting has continued despite the regime declaring a ceasefire under threat of UN-backed air strikes.

Gaddafi planes carried out two air strikes southwest of Libya's revolution stronghold of Benghazi early Saturday and columns of smoke were seen rising from the targeted zone.

Aircraft could be heard over the center of the city, where explosions were heard throughout the night, as well as continuous gunfire and anti-aircraft fire.

The first air strike came at 07:20 local time (05:20 GMT) and the second followed around 20 minutes later. At 08:17 am local time, a series of several explosions, possibly from Katyusha rockets, carried out by Libyan army.

The air strikes came after the Libyan government expressed its commitment to the immediate ceasefire announced shortly after the United Nations voted to authorize use of force against Gaddafi's troops.

However, on Friday evening, residents of Benghazi had braced for an imminent attack, after reports Gaddafi's troops were just 50 kilometers (30 miles) south of the city and planning an evening assault.

The Libyan official Jana news agency carried a statement on Saturday, in which it claimed Gaddafi’s storming the city of Benghazi as self-defense.

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On Friday, the United States accused Gaddafi of violating the truce, and President Barack Obama delivered a blunt ultimatum to the Libyan leader, saying forces loyal to Gaddafi must stop attacking rebel areas or face military action.

"Gaddafi must stop his troops from advancing on Benghazi, pull them back from Ajdabiya, Misrata and Zawiya and establish water, electricity and gas supplies to all areas," he said on Friday.

France is due to host later Saturday 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 United Nations, Gerard Araud, said he expected military intervention within hours of the summit.