May 6 2011, 5.50 pm local time: caller from Zintan describes the situation in and around the city,

Full update from Zintan, Libya - May 6 2011

Part 1:

Part 2:

May 6 2011, 5.50 pm local time: caller from Zintan describes the situation in and around the city, as well as from the Tunisian border, recorded live on Libya Alhurra.

Key points:

• Since last week, Zintan has been under fire from one and a half mile away with Grad.
• Strategic buildings are being targetted.
• Water sources located under the mountain (7) have been destroyed, only 2 left. No network or infrastructure for water.
• Everyone who leaves Zintan is being kidnapped at checkpoints, nobody knows what happens to them.
• Many attempts by Gaddafi forces to enter the city. Small number of freedom fighters forces but trained and organised, so they managed to repell them each time.
• 83 missing. Anyone who is from Zintan in Tripoli area is being kidnapped.
• Zintan is largely cut off: most supplies or humanitarian aid cannot get in, coming aid largely insufficient.
• Gaddafi forces being captured around Zintan, want to turn them over to organisations (some from Darfur, others Libyan)
• Many people in towns in area had to leave their houses, belongings behind. Many cases of rapes. Men, women and children separated. Men are forced to serve Gaddafi’s army
• At Tunisian border, situation is critical in the camps. Weather conditions difficult.
• People left all their belongings behind, in dire need of help.