'Every now and then, we hear an exchange of gunfire and cannon fire and we are worried,' said Jiang Xiaofeng of Phoenix Satellite Television who is one of four Hong Kong journalists in the hotel along with media representatives from around the world.

Since Saturday the 37 correspondents have been barred by guards loyal to Muammar Gaddafi from leaving the hotel.

'We are not even allowed to sneak our heads out of the window. There are snipers around the hotel,' Jiang said. There were many soldiers in the area and journalists had no idea whether they were government forces or rebels.

Electricity has been sporadic and there was a power cut on Monday and Tuesday but it appeared normal from early yesterday.

All journalists took the chance to recharge their equipment including phones and cameras.

Originally occupying a room on the first floor, Jiang now stays with other journalists in a second-floor hallway. As there are no windows in the hallway there is no danger from shattered glass if windows are smashed by gunfire.

'A window in our room was shattered by what we believed was debris from a cannon shell,' Jiang said. 'It was scary and we do not feel it is safe to remain there.'

As an added precaution against danger, they have hung bed sheets with 'TV' written on them from the top-floor balconies.

While struggling to get their stories out, the journalists are also in touch with their respective governments seeking help to leave as soon as possible.

'We are told we are safe but then it is a nightmare to sit here and wait. We can only live on the stock of cheese, fruit, milk and water left inside the hotel and hope that can be enough for all of us for a week,' Jiang said.

The three other Hong Kong journalists stuck in the hotel are Ng Kin-ming and Tang Leung-tong from Phoenix and Sze Ho-wai from CCTV.