Libyan army says to start ceasefire Sunday night: spokesman

A Libyan military spokesman speaks at a press conference in Tripoli, Libya, March 20, 2011. A Libyan military spokesman announced Sunday a ceasefire starting from 9:00 p.m. local time (1900 GMT) following an African Union's call for stopping clashes. (Xinhua/Yang Guang)

TRIPOLI, March 20 (Xinhua) -- A Libyan military spokesman announced Sunday a ceasefire starting from 9:00 p.m. local time ( 1900 GMT) following an African Union's call for stopping clashes.

All army units across Libya were told to observe the ceasefire, the spokesman said at a press conference in Tripoli on Sunday.

However, gunshots were still heard in the eastern rebel- controlled city of Benghazi after the ceasefire started, a witness said.

Western warplanes bombed some of the areas in Tripoli Sunday, Libyan state TV reported, showing footage of people injured by the airstrikes.

Libyan state TV said at least 64 civilians had been killed in the attacks.

Heavy anti-aircraft fire was heard in Tripoli on Sunday evening while Western air forces continued to strike the city, said a Xinhua reporter.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon said on Sunday that he hoped the Libyan army would "keep its word" on the new ceasefire.

The Libyan government declared a ceasefire on Friday after UN Security Council authorized to take any necessary measures, including a no-fly zone, to stop his forces harming civilians in the fight against the rebels.

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi vowed on Sunday to snatch a victory over Western forces which began on Saturday to launch air strikes against his troops.