Libyan government claims victory over Misurata

Libya’s heavily contested port of Misurata has fallen to regime of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, according to unconfirmed reports from the country’s Foreign Ministry.


The Libyan Foreign Ministry claimed yesterday that the rebels had surrendered in exchange of amnesty, but there was no confirmation of the same from the opposition.


The olive branch of amnesty offered to rebels who surrendered in the beset city of Misurata expired yesterday.


With the city’s airport in government hands, rebel forces looking to topple the regime are entirely dependent on supplies through the port. However, the port has been hard hit by the conflict with repeated shelling deterring ship calls.


At least 50 civilians are reported to have died in the shelling to date.


Colonel Gaddafi loyalists have also planted sea mines to further disrupt normal port operations. While Nato warships have swept the sea off Misurata for mines and have found and disabled at least three sea mines capable of damaging or sinking ships. more are anticipated.


Controller and ship pilot of the port, Hafed Makhlouf told local press: “We know the only way to keep Misurata alive is to keep the harbour open. Al Qathafi realises this too, and knows that the only way to extinguish the revolution is by starving the people.”
(Source:http://www.portstrategy.com)