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Libyan Rebels Gain Ground in Misrata

   VOA News  May 11, 2011
   A rebel army officer teaches the use of a weapon to civilians, who have
   volunteered to join the rebel army, in Benghazi, May 11, 2011

Photo: Reuters

   A rebel army officer teaches the use of a weapon to civilians, who have
   volunteered to join the rebel army, in Benghazi, May 11, 2011

   Libyan rebels say they gained ground in the besieged port city of
   Misrata, while United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday urged the
   Libyan government stop its assault and allow humanitarian access to
   civilians in need.
   Rebels say they pushed forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi
   further away from Misrata in heavy fighting.
   A rebel military spokesman said that opposition forces had forced
   pro-government forces back about 15 kilometers from the city. Colonel
   Ahmed Bani also said rebels had dislodged pro-Gadhafi forces from
   around Misrata's airport after two days of battles.
   Meanwhile, the U.N. secretary-general called for an immediate
   cease-fire in Libya. During a news conference in Geneva on Wednesday,
   Ban said said made the request during a phone call to to Libya's prime
   minister, al-Baghdadi Ali al-Mahmoudi.
   The secretary-general also said he demanded that U.N. staff members be
   given access in Libya.
   The U.N. refugee agency called on European nations and boat captains in
   the Mediterranean to rescue people fleeing from Libya's unrest. Agency
   spokeswoman Melissa Fleming said Tuesday that any boat leaving Libya
   should be considered a boat in need of assistance.
   She urged governments and captains not to wait for distress calls but
   to head immediately to the vessels to see if the people on board are in
   need of help.
   Fleming commented after a flimsy vessel reportedly overloaded with more
   than 600 passengers capsized on Friday shortly after leaving Libya. At
   least 16 bodies have been recovered so far.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.

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