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| Libya crisis: Rebels seek to break out of Misrata | Libya crisis: Rebels seek to break out of Misrata |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| At least 14 Libyan rebels have been killed during an attempt to break out of their western enclave of Misrata. | At least 14 Libyan rebels have been killed during an attempt to break out of their western enclave of Misrata. |
| Pro-Gaddafi forces are reported to have killed the rebels who had surged towards the south, east, and west. | Pro-Gaddafi forces are reported to have killed the rebels who had surged towards the south, east, and west. |
| Misrata suffered intense bombardment until mid-May, when pro-Gaddafi forces were driven away by rebels. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 to the outskirts of the next coastal town, Tawargha. | Rebel fighters told the BBC's David Loyn in Misrata that they had moved several miles forward of their eastern frontline to the outskirts of the next coastal town, Tawargha. |
| Twelve rebels are said to have been killed in the east and two in the west. Doctors say 24 people were wounded. | Twelve rebels are said to have been killed in the east and two in the west. Doctors say 24 people were wounded. |
| 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. | 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. |
| He says the main commander on the southern front, Salahuddin Badi, was one of those wounded. He was seen making an inspirational speech to his men, with blood streaming down his face, before going off for medical treatment. | He says the main commander on the southern front, Salahuddin Badi, was one of those wounded. He was seen making an inspirational speech to his men, with blood streaming down his face, before going off for medical treatment. |
| Gaddafi defiant | Gaddafi defiant |
| The government has so far not commented on the latest violence. | 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. |
| Nato clearly believes that Col Gaddafi will be forced from power, and once this happens its leadership role will be over. | Nato clearly believes that Col Gaddafi will be forced from power, and once this happens its leadership role will be over. |
| Mr Rasmussen could not have been clearer: "Once the mission is completed others must take over." | Mr Rasmussen could not have been clearer: "Once the mission is completed others must take over." |
| The Nato secretary general was reflecting widespread concerns within the alliance that it does not have the resources, the expertise, or the stamina for a long nation-building effort in post-Gaddafi Libya. | The Nato secretary general was reflecting widespread concerns within the alliance that it does not have the resources, the expertise, or the stamina for a long nation-building effort in post-Gaddafi Libya. |
| Nato, said Mr Rasmussen, would be wiling to offer help if asked, for example, to assist UN troops in deploying to the country. But it would not be in the driving seat. | Nato, said Mr Rasmussen, would be wiling to offer help if asked, for example, to assist UN troops in deploying to the country. But it would not be in the driving seat. |
| It is a blunt, albeit a diplomatic warning to the UN in New York - get planning as quickly as possible. | It is a blunt, albeit a diplomatic warning to the UN in New York - get planning as quickly as possible. |
| Mr Rasmussen urged the UN and other bodies to work to "ensure a smooth transition" to democratic, post-Gaddafi Libya. "The time to start planning is now," he said. | Mr Rasmussen urged the UN and other bodies to work to "ensure a smooth transition" to democratic, post-Gaddafi Libya. "The time to start planning is now," he said. |
| Last week Nato extended its air operations over Libya for another 90 days, as it increased the scope of its UN-mandated campaign to protect civilians. | Last week Nato extended its air operations over Libya for another 90 days, as it increased the scope of its UN-mandated campaign to protect civilians. |
| Since then, British and French attack helicopters have gone into action and command centres in Tripoli have been pounded. | Since then, British and French attack helicopters have gone into action and command centres in Tripoli have been pounded. |
| On Tuesday Nato carried out its heaviest daytime raids of its campaign on what it said were command and control centres in and around the capital, with more than 20 air strikes by low-flying jets. | On Tuesday Nato carried out its heaviest daytime raids of its campaign on what it said were command and control centres in and around the capital, with more than 20 air strikes by low-flying jets. |
| In an address broadcast on state TV on Tuesday Col Muammar Gaddafi vowed to remain in the country "dead or alive", and said Libyans would soon defeat their enemies. | In an address broadcast on state TV on Tuesday Col Muammar Gaddafi vowed to remain in the country "dead or alive", and said Libyans would soon defeat their enemies. |
| "The Libyan people will march, in the direction of the east or the west, or to any place where there are armed gangs to strip them of their arms without fighting," Col Gaddafi said. | "The Libyan people will march, in the direction of the east or the west, or to any place where there are armed gangs to strip them of their arms without fighting," Col Gaddafi said. |
| Addressing Nato, he added: "Your planes will not be able to stop these marches of the millions, nor will the armed gangs that you support be able to resist for even a minute." | Addressing Nato, he added: "Your planes will not be able to stop these marches of the millions, nor will the armed gangs that you support be able to resist for even a minute." |