Libyan rebels break out in bid to end stalemate

Rebels from the Libyan city of Misrata launched a major offensive to break out of the east of their enclave yesterday attacking the government-held town of Tawarga with infantry, artillery and tanks.

Sources in Misrata said 11 brigades took part in the drive, launched from two directions in the hope of surrounding the town and its garrison of Muammar Gaddafi's troops.

The attack aims to break an eight-week stalemate that has seen rebel fighters gain control of Misrata but fail to batter their way through the ring of government forces dug in around it.

Misrata's Mujamma Aliadat hospital said five rebels were killed and 54 wounded by late afternoon. Rebels said they captured 30 government prisoners.

"Our guys have reached the town, we are pushing around it," said wounded fighter Loie Mohammed, 19, of the largest rebel brigade, Halbus. "The fighting is very hard, very strong."

He said the attack began in the early hours and he was wounded shortly after 10am when a rocket exploded close to a mortar he was operating, wounding him in the side of his chest.

The sound of artillery could be heard in Misrata throughout the day as the rebels deployed a handful of captured tanks in the battle. One tank was destroyed by government fire.

"We attacked this morning from five directions," said Abdul Hassan of the Al Horia Brigade. "There are women and children in Tarouga itself, we want to avoid civilian casualties. We want to go around the town from two sides."