Global powers to discuss next steps for Libya

Global powers are preparing to meet in Rome on Thursday to discuss the future of the NATO mission in Libya, and how to best support the rebels.

The 'Contact Group' meeting, to be co-chaired by Italy and Qatar, will draw to Rome U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, along with her foreign policy counterparts from the U.K. and France, as well as NATO officials and representatives from the Arab League.

Italian officials say the meeting will focus on NATO’s military strategy and begin developing a political transition plan to be implemented after the departure or ousting of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Also on the agenda are ways in which some of Libya's massive reserves of crude oil can be brought back to world oil markets.

Meanwhile, Turkey has escalated the pressure on Gaddafi despite its long-standing ties to the Libyan leader, with its prime minister insisting Gaddafi must immediately leave “for the sake of his country's future.”

Fighting has continued into it’s 11^th week, with rebels reporting rockets hitting the town of Zintan in the Western Mountains late on Tuesday. The fighting is forcing thousands of refugees to flee western Libya on foot to the Tunisian border and by boat to Europe.

Listen to report by Kelsea Brennan-Wessels: