TRIPOLI: Government forces retreated in Misrata but seized a rebel town in Libya's remote Western Mountains, as no sign emerged of Muammar Gaddafi being dislodged from power despite more than a month of air strikes.
"Misrata is free, the rebels have won. Of Gaddafi's forces, some are killed and others are running away," a rebel spokesmen said in the rebel coastal city, where a punishing two-month siege that killed hundreds appeared to have been broken.
One government soldier, Khaled Dorman, among a group of 12 being brought to hospital for treatment in Misrata, told from the back of a pickup truck: "We have been told to withdraw. We were told to withdraw yesterday."
But the overall trend of fighting in Libya was far from clear. Heavy fighting continued on Saturday around a hospital in western Misrata being used as a base by Gaddafi's forces.
And government forces captured the town of Yafran in Libya's Western Mountains on Saturday, a rebel spokesman said.
The conflict in the remote mountains has received little international attention. Rebels there captured a border post two days ago and had begun been rushing supplies to towns under attack, saying they were cheered by reports from Misrata.
AIR STRIKES
At least three explosions were heard in Tripoli on Saturday evening after NATO aircraft flew over the capital, drawing Libyan anti-aircraft fire.
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