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Libya crisis: Rebels seek to break out of Misrata | |
(40 minutes later) | |
Libyan rebels have sustained casualties during an attempt to break out of their western enclave of Misrata. | |
Pro-Gaddafi forces are reported to have killed 14 rebels who had surged towards the south, east, and west of the city. | |
Misrata suffered intense bombardment until mid-May, when pro-Gaddafi forces were driven away by rebels. | |
The latest fighting comes as Nato intensifies its campaign in Libya, calling for the international community to prepare for a post-Gaddafi era. | |
Earlier a rebel spokesman had told Reuters news agency there had been a fresh government offensive on Misrata. | |
On Wednesday explosions could be heard to the east of the city as government forces responded with Grad rockets to the rebel offensive. | |
Rebel fighters told the BBC's David Loyn in Misrata that they had moved several miles forward of their eastern frontline. | |
Field ambulances took a stream of casualties for treatment, and traffic built up around Misrata hospital as people responded to an appeal for blood donors, our correspondent adds. | |
The government has so far not commented on the latest violence. | |
Meanwhile, Nato ministers met in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss the alliance's nine-week campaign. Afterwards, Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told reporters that "real progress" had been made. | Meanwhile, Nato ministers met in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss the alliance's nine-week campaign. Afterwards, Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told reporters that "real progress" had been made. |
Nato action, he said, had "prevented a massacre" in Benghazi in the east - the rebels' stronghold - and in Misrata. | Nato action, he said, had "prevented a massacre" in Benghazi in the east - the rebels' stronghold - and in Misrata. |
He added that the UN and other international bodies should start preparing for a post-Gaddafi Libya. "The time to start planning is now," he said. | He added that the UN and other international bodies should start preparing for a post-Gaddafi Libya. "The time to start planning is now," he said. |