Rebels and eyewitnesses say government forces have continued to fire rockets at the outskirts of the Libyan city of Misurata, despite an earlier announcement that forces loyal to Muammar Qaddafi had halted operations there..
Misurata, the only large city in the west of Libya mostly controlled by the rebels, has been under attack by government forces for two months.
Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim said earlier on April 24 that the army would suspend operations in the city, and leave local tribes to resolve the conflict, either by talks or through force.
The rebels denounced the announcement as a ploy.
Human rights groups say at least 1,000 people have been killed in Misurata.
Meanwhile, U.S. Senator John McCain urged the United States on April 24 to step up involvement in air strikes on Libya.
McCain, who recently visited the rebel-held city of Benghazi, warned that a prolonged stalemate would likely draw Al-Qaeda into the conflict.
compiled from agency reports
Misurata, the only large city in the west of Libya mostly controlled by the rebels, has been under attack by government forces for two months.
Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim said earlier on April 24 that the army would suspend operations in the city, and leave local tribes to resolve the conflict, either by talks or through force.
The rebels denounced the announcement as a ploy.
Human rights groups say at least 1,000 people have been killed in Misurata.
Meanwhile, U.S. Senator John McCain urged the United States on April 24 to step up involvement in air strikes on Libya.
McCain, who recently visited the rebel-held city of Benghazi, warned that a prolonged stalemate would likely draw Al-Qaeda into the conflict.
compiled from agency reports
