In a political victory for the rebels, the Tunisian news agency TAP announced Sunday that Tunisia's government has officially recognized the Transitional National Council as the legitimate representative of Libyans.

U.S. President Barack Obama was briefed on the Libya situation by a senior security adviser. A U.S. spokesman said the White House believes “Gadhafi's days are numbered.”

Mr. Gadhafi has seen the areas under his control shrink significantly in recent weeks as rebels advance on Tripoli from the west, east and south after six months of fighting to end his four-decade autocratic rule.

NATO warplanes have been supporting the rebels by bombing pro-Gadhafi forces under a U.N. Security Council resolution authorizing military action to protect Libyan civilians from government attacks.

Meanwhile, two more Gadhafi aides appear to have defected. Officials with Libya's opposition National Transitional Council say the Libyan leader's former number-two, Abdel-Salam Jalloud, is in Italy Sunday after joining their ranks a day earlier.

Tunisian officials also said Libyan Oil Minister Omran Abukraa has decided not to return to Libya after a recent mission to Italy.