Reports of gunfire in the Libyan capital Tripoli have been described as "celebratory fireworks" by government officials.
According to witnesses intense and sustained machinegun fire broke out in the city, which is Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's main stronghold, before dawn on Sunday.
It was unclear who was shooting, but the sounds of pro-Gaddafi chants and car horns joined the noise of automatic weapon rounds.
Mussa Ibrahim, a government spokesman, denied fighting was under way: "I assure you, I assure you, I assure you, I assure you, there is no fighting going on in Tripoli.
"Everything is safe. Tripoli is 100 per cent under control. What you are hearing is celebratory fireworks. People are in the streets, dancing in the square.
However, he also added: "I would like to advise not to go there for your safety."