The developments came a day after the UN Security Council voted to impose a no-fly zone and as eyewitness reports said the rebel stronghold of Misrata was under attack by government forces.

Guido Westerwelle, Germany's Foreign Minister said Friday that German troops will not participate in any military action in Libya.

China also expressed reservations Friday about some aspects of the Security Council resolution.

"We oppose the use of armed force in international relations and we have serious reservations about some of the content of the resolution," said Jiang Yu, a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Jubilant Libyan rebels in Benghazi erupted with fireworks and gunfire after the UN vote Thursday evening.

The resolution was approved with 10 votes, including those of the United States and the United Kingdom.There were no opposing votes on the 15-member council, but China, Russia, Germany, India and Brazil abstained. Germany said it was concerned about a protracted military conflict.