The statement gave no details on the identity of the pro-government forces or the enemy troops.

He said the American bombing that followed had killed one fighter from the pro-government forces and wounded four others.

There are reports that at least 14 demonstrators have been killed in clashes with pro-government forces.

On 16 February there were sporadic clashes between protesters and pro-government forces.

The situation was controlled by pro-government forces after heavy fighting which included an air attack on the police station by French helicopters.

But heavy fighting broke out later in the city center, and pro-Government forces were reported massing for a counterattack.

There was a particularly strong concentration of pro-government forces in Madrid.

This accounted for 75% of all deaths whereas pro-government forces totalled 440 civilian killings.

Last week homes and camps in the south came under military attack from pro-government forces from the North.

The city centre remained in rebel hands, but was surrounded by pro-government forces and cut off from outside assistance.