Libya: rebels celebrate seizing Misurata airport

The Telegraph ^ | 11 May 2011 | Andrew Gilligan

[MinorityRepublican]

Libyan rebels celebrate after capturing Misurata's strategic airport following a fierce battle

Rebel forces took the city's airport after a lengthy battle, raging throughout the night, with government troops. The victory, if sustained, could significantly ease the city's siege, allowing supplies and other forces to be flown in to the rebel enclave. Large quantities of weapons and ammunition were also seized.

After driving Col Muammar Gaddafi's troops and snipers from Misurata's centre late last month, the airport operation completes the rebels' control of the entire city. The victory also means that Gaddafi troops are substantially further from shelling range, though parts of Misurata are still within reach of the regime's rockets and artillery. Rebel leaders claimed last night that the breakthrough left them poised to seize another key town along the road to the capital, Tripoli.

In Misurata on Wednesday, ambulances drove around, sirens wailing, as convoys of machine-gun trucks paraded past with their occupants cheering and firing in the air. "God is great!" they chanted.

In the west of the city, thousands of residents emerged from hiding. Roads which had been almost deserted were clogged by traffic jams. Gaddafi tanks were set ablaze.

[lacrew]

“God is great!” .....where have I heard that before.