Unrest in Libya's Misrata, Tripoli

Unrest in Libya's Misrata, Tripoli

VOA News May 27, 2011

Photo: Reuters

A Libyan rebel fighter points out positions of forces loyal to leader Moammar Gadhafi at Misrata's western front line, some 25 kilometres from the city center May 26, 2011

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Forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi have launched a fresh effort to regain control of rebel-held Misrata, Libya's third largest city.

Reuters news agency says fierce fighting between pro-government forces and rebels is underway on the city's Western outskirts, Friday.  Separately, the French News Agency quotes NATO's Lieutenant General Charles Bouchard as saying pro-Gadhafi forces have laid landmines around the city. 

Meanwhile, a series of explosions rocked the Libyan capital, Tripoli, late Thursday.  Some of the blasts occurred near Gadhafi's residential compound. However, the specific targets from the suspected NATO airstrikes were not immediately identified. 

Earlier Thursday, Libyan Prime Minister Al-Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi offered a truce with rebels but ruled out Gadhafi's departure - a key demand of the opposition and NATO.  

Also, Britain said it would deploy Apache helicopter gunships against Gadhafi's forces in Libya as part of NATO's operations. France has already indicated it will send attack helicopters to the North African country.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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Comments (5)

27-05-2011Alex (France)

Voice of America is the voice of Hate, lying non stop. Rebels attacked Libyan forces in Misrata and not vice verse. "Suleim Al-Faqih, one of the rebels, said the clashes started when rebels attacked pro-Gadhafi forces who were using an excavator to dig a trench to block a road. “We fired on them and advanced. They fell back and started firing mortars,” he said."

27-05-2011hamad part 1 of 3 (Oman)

It seems Gaddafi is insisting to remain in his throne while David Cameron and President Obama are repeating call for Gaddafo to resign . Pro-Gadhafi forces have new strategy to siege Misrata . Actually , he is willing to siege Rebels and then shell them at once . This is the logic of war . If Pro-Gadhafi forces retake Misrata , they will fever pitch probably . By they way , Africans leaders are still sustaining Gaddafi strongly and they are ready to support him under the table .

27-05-2011hamad part 2 of 3 (Oman)

They do not want to hurt the feeling of coalition forces specially everyone of them is afraid that he will be the next . So as much as Libyan plight be protracted , they can maintain their throne and position on the ground . This game of seek and bomb is not working and will cost coalitions forces heavy losses without any tangible impact . In contrary , accumulating mistakes will irritate Libyans and sustain the various plea of Gaddafi which will reflect on this confrontation .

27-05-2011hamad part 3 of 3 (Oman)

Apache helicopters are effective but they will be able to be shot and fell down by Gaddafi fires which will be more costly than regular airstrikes . I think that NATO knew they are fighting regular army which could face various attack near ground . It seems this turmoil has had no impending ending whereas President Obama wants to finish the job in Libya . Actions speak louder than words .