Libyan rebels warn of massacre in Misrata

Libyan rebels warned of an impending massacre if NATO does not intensify its attacks on Gaddafi's forces.

Libyan rebels warned on Thursday of an impending massacre in Misrata by troops loyal to Muammar Gaddafi if NATO does not intensify its attacks on government forces there.

The warning followed a heavy rocket attack by Gaddafi loyalists on a residential area near the rebel-controlled port that killed eight people. A rebel spokesman said the death toll was expected to rise.

A massacre8230; will take place here if NATO does not intervene strongly,a rebel spokesman,who identified himself as Abdelsalam,told Reuters by telephone from Misrata.

France and the United Kingdom,which are leading the coalition air strikes against Gaddafi8217;s forces,are increasingly frustrated at the lack of support among other NATO allies.

Rebels defending Misrata,their last major enclave in western Libya and the scene of heavy fighting in recent weeks,are worried by the absence of a clear military strategy to unseat Gaddafi.

Government forces unleashed a barrage of Russian-made rockets on Misrata8217;s Kasr Ahmad district at dawn and rebels said shelling continued in the city centre.

They fired at least 80 rockets on that area. So far we have eight martyrs and 20 wounded,said a second rebel spokesman,Abdelbasset Abu Mzereiq. It had earlier been understood that those killed were rebel fighters.

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Fighting a day earlier killed five civilians and wounded dozens,the rebels added.

Libyan officials say they are fighting armed militia with ties to al Qaeda bent on destroying the North African country. It is difficult to independently verify accounts from western Libya because journalists are prevented from reporting freely.

Thursday8217;s bombardment prevented a Qatari vessel from docking and the ship was still waiting to enter the port,the rebels said. It was not clear what the boat was carrying.

Government troops have laid siege to Misrata for more than six weeks after the city rose up in revolt along with others against Gaddafi8217;s four-decade rule in mid February

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International aid agencies and rights groups have warned that a humanitarian disaster is unfurling in Libya8217;s third-biggest city. Rebels said the situation deteriorates each day.

There is no baby milk. There is also an acute shortage of food and medicine. People cannot come out to try to buy what they need for fear of being hit by snipers and shells,said Abdelsalam.