Running out of fuel but determined to fight on

MISRATA will run out of fuel in less than two weeks, rebel leaders said last night, raising fears it could succumb to the siege which has lasted for months.

Rebels said a shipment of fuel due to arrive from Qatar is likely to be delayed or cancelled, because of bombardment of the port by Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi's forces.

"Qatar and other countries have promised to supply Misrata with fuel," said Ahmed Al-rwaiati, head of the rebels' utility committee, "But the problem is the shelling. Maybe they will cancel the shipment."

Rebels have succeeded in pushing Gaddafi forces to the outskirts, but long-range shelling continues to hit the port area.

Three rockets struck the nearby fuel depot on Monday night. A rocket missed a fuel silo by feet, crashing into a wall, sending shrapnel flying. Another struck a pump station control room.

The Brega Company depot holds fuel stores that supply Libya's entire southern region. The depot was filled a week before the uprising began in mid-February and allowed residents in Misrata to live for three months under siege, using the fuel to power generators for homes and hospitals after the city power station was hit.

Now the oil containers are almost empty, said Mr Al-rwaiati. The city relies on fuel for everything from electricity and cookings. But the further the rebels advance, the more fuel they need from a limited supply.

"It would be a disaster if the shipment doesn't come," said Mr Al-rwaiati. "There is a plan to ration fuel. Trucks use a lot, we are thinking to limit (their] use just to supply the front lines."

But he said: "We will give all our fuel to the fighters. We will use donkeys, horses and camels if we have to."