Libya's UN-backed government says 21 people have been killed and 27 wounded in fighting near the capital, Tripoli.
Khalifa Haftar salutes during a military parade in the eastern city of Benghazi. Photo: AFP
Earlier the UN called for a two-hour truce so casualties and civilians could be evacuated, but it was unclear if there was any lull.
Rebel forces under General Khalifa Haftar have advanced from the east with the aim of taking Tripoli.
Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj has accused him of attempting a coup and says rebels will be met with force.
Among the dead was a Red Crescent doctor killed on Saturday. Mr Haftar's forces said they had lost 14 fighters.
International powers have begun evacuating personnel from Libya amid the worsening security situation.
Libya has been torn by violence and political instability since long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi was deposed and killed in 2011.
What's the situation on the ground?
The head of Libya's UN-backed Government of National Accord, Fayez al-Serraj, addresses the 72nd Session of the United Nations General assembly. Photo: AFP
Mr Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA) forces have been carrying out a multi-pronged attack from the south and west of the city since Thursday.
On Sunday the LNA said it had carried out its first air strike, a day after the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) hit them with air strikes on Saturday.
Fighting has continued around the disused international airport south of the capital that Mr Haftar earlier said his forces had seized.
Forces loyal to the GNA have slowed the advance and on Sunday a GNA spokesman told Al-Jazeera TV that the GNA now intended to "cleanse" the whole of the country.
What evacuations have already taken place?
US Africa Command, responsible for US military operations and liaison in Africa, said that due to the "increased unrest" it had relocated a contingent of US forces temporarily, but gave no further details on numbers.
There were reports of a fast amphibious craft being used in the operation.
India External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said its full contingent of 15 Central Reserve Police Force peacekeepers had been evacuated from Tripoli because the "situation in Libya has suddenly worsened".
Italian multinational oil and gas company Eni decided to evacuate all its Italian personnel from the country.
The UN is also due to pull out non-essential staff.
Residents of Tripoli have reportedly begun stocking up on food and fuel. But BBC Arab affairs editor Sebastian Usher says many of those near the fighting are remaining in their homes for now, for fear of looting should they leave.
Some fear a long operation, which Mr Haftar mounted to take the eastern city of Benghazi from Islamist fighters.
Who are the opposing forces?
Libya has been wracked by unrest since the overthrow of Mr Gaddafi. Dozens of militias operate in the country.
Recently they have been allying either with the UN-backed GNA, based in Tripoli, or the LNA of Mr Haftar, a tough anti-Islamist who has the support of Egypt and the UAE and is strong in eastern Libya.
Mr Haftar helped Mr Gaddafi seize power in 1969 before falling out with him and going into exile in the US. He returned in 2011 after the uprising against Mr Gaddafi began and became a rebel commander.
The unity government was created at talks in 2015 but has struggled to assert national control.
Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj delivered a TV address on Saturday, saying he would defend the capital.
Mr Serraj said he had offered concessions to Mr Haftar to avoid bloodshed, only to be "stabbed in the back".
Are peace talks planned?
UN-backed talks aimed at drawing up a road map for new elections have been scheduled for 14-16 April in the Libyan city of Ghadames.
UN envoy Ghassan Salame insisted the talks would go ahead, unless serious obstacles prevented it, saying "we won't give up this political work quickly".
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was in Tripoli just last Thursday to discuss the situation.
But Mr Haftar has said his troops will not stop until they have defeated "terrorism".
- BBC