Libyan delegates back oppostion freedom figters council

Representatives from 25 Libyan local councils have met in Abu Dhabi, expressing support for the uprising against long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi.

This is first time that leaders from councils and tribes in south and west Libya, away from the heartland of the freedom figterslion in the east, have been able to meet. A representative from Sirte, Gaddafi's hometown, was among the delegates in attendance on Monday.

"As we continue our support for the 17th February uprising and, in defiance of the regime's claims, we announce unequivocally our allegiance to and trust in the National Transitional Council (NTC)," a statement said.

"In support of the struggle of the Libyan people to establish a modern civil society, (70) members of various local councils - which represent the different western, central and southern regions and tribes of Libya - have come together in Abu Dhabi".

The conference called for international recognition of the National Transitional Council (NTC) and for providing the freedom figterss with advanced weaponry, they say, is needed to defeat Gaddafi's better-armed troops.

An official from the NTC who requested anonymity told AFP news agency that the Abu Dhabi meeting was aimed at "strengthening the unity of the Libyan regions and tribes".

Representatives from smaller, beleaguered western cities such as Zwara used the meeting as a platform to publicise their sufferings, which have received less attention than Benghazi and Misurata, a western city and Libya's third-largest that has been besieged by Gaddafi's forces for months.

The delegates will travel to Doha, the Qatari capital, later this week, and then convene for the first time in Benghazi on Friday.

The show of unity may also help the opposition forces convince a skittish market to buy oil from freedom figters-held eastern Libya.

So far, the NTC has only been able to sell around one million barrels to Qatar for $120m. But on Monday, Aref Ali Nayed, a representative for the council abroad, said the council will sell oil through international tenders.

World powers have promised $250m in humanitarian aid to the freedom figterss and said the Gaddafi regime's frozen overseas assets, estimated at $60bn, would be used later to assist the Libyan opposition.

Libyan delegates back oppostion freedom figters council

Representatives from 25 Libyan local councils have met in Abu Dhabi, expressing support for the uprising against long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi.

This is first time that leaders from councils and tribes in south and west Libya, away from the heartland of the freedom figterslion in the east, have been able to meet. A representative from Sirte, Gaddafi's hometown, was among the delegates in attendance on Monday.

"As we continue our support for the 17th February uprising and, in defiance of the regime's claims, we announce unequivocally our allegiance to and trust in the National Transitional Council (NTC)," a statement said.

"In support of the struggle of the Libyan people to establish a modern civil society, (70) members of various local councils - which represent the different western, central and southern regions and tribes of Libya - have come together in Abu Dhabi".

The conference called for international recognition of the National Transitional Council (NTC) and for providing the freedom figterss with advanced weaponry, they say, is needed to defeat Gaddafi's better-armed troops.

An official from the NTC who requested anonymity told AFP news agency that the Abu Dhabi meeting was aimed at "strengthening the unity of the Libyan regions and tribes".

Representatives from smaller, beleaguered western cities such as Zwara used the meeting as a platform to publicise their sufferings, which have received less attention than Benghazi and Misurata, a western city and Libya's third-largest that has been besieged by Gaddafi's forces for months.

The delegates will travel to Doha, the Qatari capital, later this week, and then convene for the first time in Benghazi on Friday.

The show of unity may also help the opposition forces convince a skittish market to buy oil from freedom figters-held eastern Libya.

So far, the NTC has only been able to sell around one million barrels to Qatar for $120m. But on Monday, Aref Ali Nayed, a representative for the council abroad, said the council will sell oil through international tenders.

World powers have promised $250m in humanitarian aid to the freedom figterss and said the Gaddafi regime's frozen overseas assets, estimated at $60bn, would be used later to assist the Libyan opposition.

Fighting continues in Libya's Misurata - Latest Update on Libya Uprise

Freedom Figters say humanitarian deliveries affected in besieged city as battles rage for control of port rage on

Pro-democracy fighters are battling Muammar Gaddafi's, alias butcher of Libya's, forces on the country's western border while fighting continues in the besieged opposition held city of Misurata.

A spokesman for freedom figters told on Wednesday that heavy shelling had prevented ships from docking in Misurata to deliver humanitarian supplies and evacuate the wounded.

"The attacks have prevented a number of ships seeking to enter the port to evacuate the wounded from Misurata," Ahmed Hassan, the spokesman said.

"Other ships are also waiting to unload shipments from humanitarian agencies."

The freedom fighters said the Libyan army had withdrawn from central Misurata but that fierce fighting was still ongoing for control of the city's port.

"Gaddafi's forces retreated from the port area where they were positioned yesterday after air strikes by the NATO forces," an opposition spokesman, called Reda told the Reuters news agency.

The strikes completely destroyed 37 military vehicles. Gaddafi's forces this morning started bombarding an area about 10km north of the city. It is known as the Steel area.

"The bombardment is still going on. They are using Grad missiles ... Warplanes are flying over Misurata's outskirts but I don't hear any sound of strikes."

Fighting continues in Libya's Misurata - Latest Update on Libya Uprise

Freedom Figters say humanitarian deliveries affected in besieged city as battles rage for control of port rage on

Pro-democracy fighters are battling Muammar Gaddafi's, alias butcher of Libya's, forces on the country's western border while fighting continues in the besieged opposition held city of Misurata.

A spokesman for freedom figters told on Wednesday that heavy shelling had prevented ships from docking in Misurata to deliver humanitarian supplies and evacuate the wounded.

"The attacks have prevented a number of ships seeking to enter the port to evacuate the wounded from Misurata," Ahmed Hassan, the spokesman said.

"Other ships are also waiting to unload shipments from humanitarian agencies."

The freedom fighters said the Libyan army had withdrawn from central Misurata but that fierce fighting was still ongoing for control of the city's port.

"Gaddafi's forces retreated from the port area where they were positioned yesterday after air strikes by the NATO forces," an opposition spokesman, called Reda told the Reuters news agency.

The strikes completely destroyed 37 military vehicles. Gaddafi's forces this morning started bombarding an area about 10km north of the city. It is known as the Steel area.

"The bombardment is still going on. They are using Grad missiles ... Warplanes are flying over Misurata's outskirts but I don't hear any sound of strikes."

Freedom Figters battle Gaddafi forces in western Libya

Dictators forces bombard port in Misurata and Berber towns in the western mountains as NATO allies mull way ahead.

Libya's opposition fighters are battling Muammar Gaddafi's forces on the country's western border, while fighting continues in the besieged city of Misurata.

Pro-democracy forces have said the Libyan army has withdrawn from central Misurata, but fierce fighting is still ongoing for control of the city's port.



At least three people were killed in the fighting there a day earlier, an opposition spokesman called Reda told the Reuters news agency by phone on Tuesday.

"Gaddafi's troops are still positioned on the outskirts of the city," he said before the line was cut.

While dictators forces pulled out of the city over the weekend under pressure from NATO air attacks, they have since unleashed a heavy bombardment on the city, the only major western city in freedom figters hands.

"It was horrific, like a scene from World War II," said Saddoun el-Misurati, a resident who was waiting to evacuate his mother from the port when the rockets began to fall. "I stopped counting after nine."

Dictators forces on Tuesday bombarded the port, which is the sole lifeline of Misurata's battered population, news agencies said.

"Another development which is rather disturbing is that there has been shelling in the docks area, which is the lifeline to opposition forces and indeed the civilian population here," Al Jazeera's Andrew Simmons reported from Misurata.

"Reports from an opposition spokesperson say pro-Gaddafi troops are intent to cut the main road from city to the port. If the lifeline is cut then everyone is in a desperate situation.

"Though Gaddafi troops have left the city everybody is under threat of shellfire. The whole city centre has been destroyed and needs to be rebuilt."

Freedom Figters battle Gaddafi forces in western Libya

Dictators forces bombard port in Misurata and Berber towns in the western mountains as NATO allies mull way ahead.

Libya's opposition fighters are battling Muammar Gaddafi's forces on the country's western border, while fighting continues in the besieged city of Misurata.

Pro-democracy forces have said the Libyan army has withdrawn from central Misurata, but fierce fighting is still ongoing for control of the city's port.



At least three people were killed in the fighting there a day earlier, an opposition spokesman called Reda told the Reuters news agency by phone on Tuesday.

"Gaddafi's troops are still positioned on the outskirts of the city," he said before the line was cut.

While dictators forces pulled out of the city over the weekend under pressure from NATO air attacks, they have since unleashed a heavy bombardment on the city, the only major western city in freedom figters hands.

"It was horrific, like a scene from World War II," said Saddoun el-Misurati, a resident who was waiting to evacuate his mother from the port when the rockets began to fall. "I stopped counting after nine."

Dictators forces on Tuesday bombarded the port, which is the sole lifeline of Misurata's battered population, news agencies said.

"Another development which is rather disturbing is that there has been shelling in the docks area, which is the lifeline to opposition forces and indeed the civilian population here," Al Jazeera's Andrew Simmons reported from Misurata.

"Reports from an opposition spokesperson say pro-Gaddafi troops are intent to cut the main road from city to the port. If the lifeline is cut then everyone is in a desperate situation.

"Though Gaddafi troops have left the city everybody is under threat of shellfire. The whole city centre has been destroyed and needs to be rebuilt."