Libya: Col Gaddafi's Army 'Flees Misratah'
3:09am UK, Sunday April 24, 2011
Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's army have fled the besieged Libyan city Misratah after two months of fighting, it is being reported.
Claims the western coastal city had fallen to opposition forces came as at least three explosions were heard in Tripoli as Nato aircraft flew over the capital.
But the further blows to Col Gaddafi do not appear to have signalled any move by him to step down, with his army seizing a town in the remote Western Mountains.
A rebel spokesmen in Misratah said: "Misratah is free, the rebels have won.
Government soldier in MisratahWe have been told to withdraw. We were told to withdraw yesterday.
"Of Gaddafi's forces, some are killed and others are running away."
A government soldier, Khaled Dorman, among a group of 12 being brought to hospital for treatment in Misratah, told Reuters news agency: "We have been told to withdraw. We were told to withdraw yesterday."
Despite the rebel success, it is still unclear which side holds the upper hand.
Rebels in Misratah remain upbeat after intense fighting
Fighters loyal to Col Gaddafi captured the town of Yafran in Libya's Western Mountains, a spokesman for the opposition forces said.
Rebels in that region captured a border post two days ago and had begun to rush badly-needed supplies to towns under attack, saying they were cheered by reports from Misratah.
"Gaddafi brigades seized control of the (Yafran) town centre and we are currently in nearby villages," a rebel spokesman told Al Arabiya television.
A number of Gaddafi's soldiers have been captured by rebels in Misratah
"They are firing mortars and Grad missiles," he said, adding that he had counted more than 44 Grad rockets fired in one hour.
Libya's deputy foreign minister, Khaled Kaim, said Natoairstrikes had hit targets in Sirte, Gharyan, Aziziyah, Tripoli and Hira.
Western powers have been bombing Libyan positions for more than a month, with Britain, the US and France saying they will not stop their air war until Col Gaddafi leaves office.
Nato said the first US Predator drone to fire over Libya had hit a rocket launcher near the Misratah on Saturday.
