Explosions, gunfire as battle rages for Misrata airport

A Libyan rebel fighter walks across a street in the besieged city of Misrata, April 27, 2011. — Photo by AP MISRATA, Libya: Loud explosions and gunfire rocked the Libyan city of Misrata on Friday as fighting between rebels and Muammar Qadhafi’s forces raged for control of the airport, an AFP correspondent said. The battle, just southwest of the city limits, followed overnight barrages of rocket and mortar fire launched by Qadhafi’s forces on the besieged city, 215 kilometres east of Tripoli. Qadhafi’s forces were pushed back from Misrata by the rebels and a series of air strikes by Nato warplanes on Monday but remain within rocket range of the city. The rebels said earlier in the week they had secured the port and their next objective was to take control of the airport, which is still in the hands of government troops. "Attack is the best form of defence," said Ibrahim Bet-Almal, who heads the rebel military forces in the area. "Qadhafi is sending reinforcements to the region every day," he added.