Key role for NATO
The operation has been led by the United States but President Obama has made it clear that he intends to transfer command 'within days.' But negotiations between coalition partners are delaying the transfer.
A NATO led operation is strongly supported by Britain and Italy but France, Turkey and Germany have spoken out against it over fears it may alienate the Arab world.
The US says a compromise has now been reached and that NATO will play a key role although he stopped short of explicitly saying NATO will take over complete control of the mission.
Turkey has warned it could not agree to a military alliance taking enforcement of the no-fly zone if their mission went outside the framework of the UN resolution.
The White House said that Obama had spoken to Tukey's prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and that they had agreed to a 'broad' global effort. But in a speech to his ruling AK party Erdogan said Turkey 'will never point a gun at the Libyan people' although it will support the resolution's 'full implementation.'
Outside of NATO the Arab league has expressed concern at some of the tactics used. China, India, and Russia- among five countries that abstained from the UN vote - have also questioned the level of force used in Libya.
Hague: history in the making
Reflecting on events Foreign Secretary William Hague predicted the Arab Spring will be seen in centuries to come as a key year in the development of human history. He told an audience in London that airstrikes in Libya had 'saved many lives' but that it was 'too early' to set a date for the ending of the mission.
Addressing the Times CEO summit Africa Mr Hague said: "It is not for us to choose the government of Libya – that is for the Libyan people themselves. But they have a far greater chance of making that choice now than they did on Saturday, when the opposition forces were on the verge of defeat."
"With our partners we have halted the advance of Qadhafi’s troops towards Benghazi and prevented his planes from wreaking havoc from the skies, and this has undoubtedly saved many lives."
Speaking about the wave of rebellions in the Arab world he added: "It's very hazardous to write history when we are still taking part in it but in one or two hundred years I think 2011 will be seen as a very important year in the development of human history."
Gaddafi troops reconcentrate efforts
Meanwhile, Muammar Gaddafi's forces are barraging the rebel-held western cities of Misrata and Zintan, as allied air strikes continue in the east.
In the latest clashes, Gaddafi forces are using heavy artillery in an attempt to wrest control of the mountain town of Zintan, near the border with Tunisia and 120 kilometres (75 miles) southwest of Tripoli.
Residents have escaped the town centre and are seeking refuge in mountain caves.
Zintan was the first city in western Libya to join the anti-regime protests a day after the revolt against Gaddafi's 41-year rule erupted on February 15 in the eastern coastal city of Benghazi.
In Misrata, the death toll from fighting on Monday had reached 40; among the dead were several children, according to reports.
Snipers are reportedly taking part in the operation alongside tanks and other heavy weaponry.
There were reports of fierce anti-aircraft fire followed by explosions near Gaddafi's compound in Tripoli.
Witnesses said a navy base at Bussetta, 10km east of the capital, and the dictator's southern stronghold of Sebha had been hit by a bombardment as air defences and forces were targeted.
Libyan state television reported a new round of strikes were under way.
Special Report - Libya: strike against Gaddafi
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said that the matter of the US fighter plane crash was for the US authorities to comment, but said Operation Ellamy was a continuing success.
Major Gen John Lorimer said: "You'll be aware that a US aircraft crashed last night. Clearly this is a matter for the US authorities to comment on. My understanding is that both crewmembers are, thankfully, safe."
He added: "We have the best possible indication that this operation is having a very real effect, namely the protection of Benghazi from Col Gaddafi's forces. Last Friday you will recall that regime troops were on the outskirts of Benghazi, the second largest city in Libya and home to more than 670,000 civilians."
Maj Gen Lorimer added that the number of countries conducting military operations to enforce the resolution "continues to grow."
"US, French, Danish, Italian and British aircraft were yesterday joined on patrol over Libya by Spanish F-18s for the first time."
File photograph of a . 
''Wikinews'' understands the  is to open an investigation into the rescue mission. 
A spokesperson for the  has tonight categorically denied reports of a U.S. helicopter opening fire on Libyan civilians during a rescue mission of two fighter pilots who crashed near the eastern city of Benghazi.

Conflicting reports have emerged of the mission to rescue the two U.S. fighter pilots who ejected from their aircraft. The  that they were flying reportedly suffered a mechanical failure on Monday night and crashed. Soon after the accident, a U.S. military helicopter landed in the area to extract the airmen and reportedly opened fire on civilians, wounding six of them.

Unconfirmed reports indicate the six civilians were taken to a hospital in the area after being fired upon by the helicopter, a . One of the wounded, a young boy, was shot in the leg, which will likely now require amputation. Another of those reported injured said the shooting caused "great panic." ''Wikinews'' understands the  is to open an investigation into the rescue mission.

However, a U.S. military spokesperson denied the reports "one hundred percent", and said the incident "didn't happen". He said the aircraft which rescued the two airman was not fitted with weapons. "The Osprey is not armed and the Marines barely came off the aircraft," he said.

The pilot of the fighter aircraft was extracted during the rescue mission, while the  was found and cared for by Libyan rebels before later being retrieved by American forces. Both crew members suffered only minor injuries, the military said. The fighter aircraft was deployed over Libya in support of the no-fly zone approved by the United Nations Security Council over Libya as part of .