Continue reading the main story<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\nAt the scene<\/h2>\n
\t\t<\/p>\n
\t<\/p>\n
After one particularly loud explosion during the night, a column of smoke was seen rising from the direction of a military base in the city. There have been various bursts of prolonged firing from the ground, completely useless in terms of hitting the planes or missiles involved, but often an indication that the defenders think they are coming under attack. <\/p>\n
There are contradictory accounts about the effectiveness of coalition attacks on Col Gaddafi’s forces outside the rebel-held town of Misrata. On Wednesday, pro-Gaddafi tanks seemed close to taking the town, but after a number of coalition air strikes, they appear to have been silenced. Still, there are suggestions that the tanks and artillery may have opened up again under cover of darkness. <\/p>\n
Misrata is the last major town in western Libya that’s been holding out against the pro-Gaddafi counter attack, so it’s important from the coalition’s point of view to protect it from falling.<\/p>\n
\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n
One US official quoted by Associated Press news agency said the Libyan plane shot down by France was a G-2\/Galeb, a training aircraft with a single engine. The French plane involved was a Rafale fighter, the same US official said.<\/p>\n
Fresh fighting has meanwhile been reported in Misrata, scene of a bitter battle for control which has lasted for many days.<\/p>\n
Misrata resident Muhammad told the BBC many large explosions were heard overnight in the city. <\/p>\n
“Even now we continue to hear the aeroplanes circling the air above Misrata,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Gaddafi’s forces have occupied the main street – there are snipers all along the rooftops of that street. They are firing indiscriminately into the main street and the back streets. <\/p>\n
“But the heavy artillery and shelling has stopped since yesterday [Wednesday]. In that sense, we are in a much better position.” <\/p>\n
Further east in the strategically important city of Ajdabiya, residents described shelling, gunfire and houses on fire.<\/p>\n
Nato members have been holding talks about assuming responsibility for the no-fly zone over Libya, so far without agreement. <\/p>\n
Turkey is an integral part of the naval blockade, but has expressed concern about the alliance taking over command of the no-fly zone from the US.<\/p>\n
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has urged all sides in Libya to cease hostilities. “All those who violate international humanitarian and human rights law will be held fully accountable,” his spokesman Martin Nesirky said.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n
See the rest here:
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