Tripoli, April 03: Troops loyal to Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi have reportedly fired rockets indiscriminately on the country’s inhabited areas in northwestern city of Misratah.
Gaddafi’s tanks on Saturday targeted inhabited areas and houses in Misratah, which is located 150 kilometers (95 miles) east of the Libyan capital city of Tripoli, AFP reported.
“The tanks targeted inhabited areas and houses in Misratah,” an opposition spokesman told AFP by telephone, calling on the international community to halt the onslaught.
“These are true crimes which must be stopped. Gaddafi’s troops are endangering civilian lives and using prohibited weapons,” the spokesman said on condition of anonymity.
He added that Gaddafi regime’s forces tried to come into the besieged city from three fronts. However, they were repelled by revolutionary forces.
Opposition forces are now in control of the strategic oil town of Ajdabiyah, situated 160 kilometers (100 miles) from the opposition stronghold of Benghazi.
Gaddafi’s loyalists have recaptured the oil port of Ras Lanuf and the town of Ben Jawad and are on their way towards Brega.
Libyan anti-government forces, inspired by revolutions that toppled authoritarian rulers in neighboring Tunisia and Egypt, are fighting to unseat Gaddafi after suffering under his despotic rule for over 41 years.
——–Agencies