Libyan rebels deny Misrata is under their control
Tripoli, Libya (CNN) -- The status of the besieged Libyan city of Misrata was in question Thursday, with representatives of the opposition Transitional National Council and rebels in the city giving different accounts of who controls the strategic town.
Abdul Hafiz Ghoga, a spokesman for the council, told reporters in Benghazi Thursday that all of Misrata has been "liberated."
However, two spokesman for the Libyan rebels disputed that statement, saying forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi were still in control of Misrata＇s eastern gate, as well as the gate leading to the nearby town of Zlaitin, where clashes occurred Thursday but no casualties resulted.
One spokesman, who asked to be identified only as Mohamed, said rebels are controlling Misrata＇s airport and civil defense base, which are about 17 kilometers (10 miles) away from the city center.
Meanwhile, at least two people were killed Thursday when four rockets struck Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi＇s compound, a government spokesman told CNN. After the blasts, which could be heard in the center of Tripoli, sirens blared and at least two emergency vehicles sped toward the Bab al-Aziziya compound.
The Libya government took journalists near the site of the blast and smoke could be seen still rising from the compound. The bodies of at least two men were shown to reporters at a nearby hospital, and hospital officials said more victims were on the way.
Government officials said 27 others affected by the strike were also brought to the hospital. Most seemed to be suffering from smoke inhalation.
The Libyan government said another attack on the same compound April 30 had killed Gadhafi＇s son Saif al-Arab Gadhafi and three of the leader＇s grandchildren.
Libyan state television reported Thursday the North Korean embassy in Tripoli was damaged in a NATO airstrike.
Tripoli, Libya (CNN) -- The status of the besieged Libyan city of Misrata was in question Thursday, with representatives of the opposition Transitional National Council and rebels in the city giving different accounts of who controls the strategic town.
Abdul Hafiz Ghoga, a spokesman for the council, told reporters in Benghazi Thursday that all of Misrata has been "liberated."
However, two spokesman for the Libyan rebels disputed that statement, saying forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi were still in control of Misrata＇s eastern gate, as well as the gate leading to the nearby town of Zlaitin, where clashes occurred Thursday but no casualties resulted.
One spokesman, who asked to be identified only as Mohamed, said rebels are controlling Misrata＇s airport and civil defense base, which are about 17 kilometers (10 miles) away from the city center.
Meanwhile, at least two people were killed Thursday when four rockets struck Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi＇s compound, a government spokesman told CNN. After the blasts, which could be heard in the center of Tripoli, sirens blared and at least two emergency vehicles sped toward the Bab al-Aziziya compound.
The Libya government took journalists near the site of the blast and smoke could be seen still rising from the compound. The bodies of at least two men were shown to reporters at a nearby hospital, and hospital officials said more victims were on the way.
Government officials said 27 others affected by the strike were also brought to the hospital. Most seemed to be suffering from smoke inhalation.
The Libyan government said another attack on the same compound April 30 had killed Gadhafi＇s son Saif al-Arab Gadhafi and three of the leader＇s grandchildren.
Libyan state television reported Thursday the North Korean embassy in Tripoli was damaged in a NATO airstrike. |
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