Libyan guns pound Mistrata as rebels cheer Saif's death

Published on Sunday 1 May 2011 16:26

Forces loyal to Libyan strongman Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi pounded the rebel held town of Misrata yesterday after his government announced that one of his sons and three grandchildren were killed in a Nato airstrike.

In what looked like an act of revenge, artillery shells fell thick and fast on the residential neighbourhood of Ras al Tuta immediately after the death was announced said Mohammed Alzawwami, speaking from inside the city. "It is normal that he bombs us, but yesterday it increased."

Some of the rounds landed as a Maltese aid ship, the Mae Yemanja, unloaded food and medical supplies at the besieged city's port, according to Ahmed al-Misalati, a truck driver helping move the cargo.

"We were still working this morning when they started firing rockets," said Mr al-Misalati. "Some fell in the ocean, some on the pavement, some in the warehouses, and in the water in front of the boat."

The boat quickly returned to sea, he said. Last week, regime loyalists attempted to mine Misrata's harbour to close the besieged city's only link to the world.

"They destroyed civilian houses, and killed six people," said Mr Alzawwami. "We expect this, nowadays the people of Misrata just feel lucky not to die."

The rebel capital, Benghazi, was rocked by explosions on Saturday night as residents launched TNT bombs into the sea, and threw hand grenades in celebration of the news of the death of Saif al-Arab Gaddafi.

The sky lit up with a dangerous "firework" display of tracer rounds, as youths performed spins with their cars in the streets below.

"We celebrate because it is one of his sons. We like this. It is revenge," said Mohammed Ali, 28, the singer of a rock band that writes songs for the revolution.

The spontaneous celebrations were short-lived. As daylight came yesterday, scepticism at the truth of the news dawned.

ABDUL Hafez Goga, spokesman for the Transitional National Council, said the deaths could be a fabrication to garner sympathy.

Across Benghazi, residents refused to accept the news. "I think it is a lie, it is not correct news, most Libyans people don't believe these things. These are the tricks Gaddafi makes. He wants people to feel sorry for him," said Abdul Muniem, a member of the Benghazi security council.

"If he is dead, why doesn't he show his body to the world?"

The only images of the dead from the Nato air strike broadcast yesterday were of covered bodies in a morgue, surrounded by religious leaders, both Muslim and Christians.

The rebels said it was no coincidence that the son that was pronounced dead on Saturday was the least prominent of Gaddafi's eight children. "He could not say Saif el-Islam Gaddafi is dead, he appears on television all the time," said Mr Muniem.

"This is the first time we have heard about this man.It is not believable; he says this because he (Gaddafi] thinks the Europeans like this man," said Ahmed Hubail, 34.

Across the city, residents were adamant the deaths, first announced on Libyan state television, are a ruse to garner criticism for the Nato airstrikes that continue across the war-torn country.

They are more than familiar with Col Gaddafi's deceptions, they said.

"When you stay with someone for a year you come to know them. After 42 years of rule we know this man; by the tone of his voice, by his movements, we know him," said Mr Muniem.

Nato aircraft were in action again yesterday in Libya, firing on positions held by Libyan government forces attacking the rebel-held town of Zintan, south-west of Tripoli.

The town had been under rocket fire earlier in the day.