Heavy Shelling Continues in Misrata: Rebels

Heavy fighting continues in Misrata despite claims by Libya’s government that the army has halted operations there, and at least 25 have been killed and 71 wounded in the latest round. Libya’s deputy foreign minister said early today that the army has not withdrawn from the city, but has suspended operations in an attempt to allow local tribes to find a peaceful solution. However, if the rebels fail to surrender in the next two days, he said tribesmen will take up arms and fight the rebels.

But residents tell al-Jazeera they are still experiencing heavy shelling, and doctors said yesterday was one of the bloodiest the city has seen in weeks. Many of the latest deaths were due to booby traps left by pro-Gadhafi forces on weapons and bodies, one doctor says. Even Friday, when the government said it was withdrawing forces, some rebels suspected a trick. Meanwhile, the first US Predator drone attack destroyed a government rocket launcher yesterday, NATO said. The drones began flying missions in Libya Thursday. (More Libya stories.)