Rebels consolidate hold on Misrata

At least 36 people have been killed and 100 wounded by fighting in the city Saturday and Sunday,said Dr Khaled Abu Falgah,head of the Misrata medical committee. The last 24 hours have been one of the hardest and saddest days in the last 65 days, he said.

Libyan officials have said in the past two days that the military is pulling back in Misrata,to enable tribal chiefs from the area to negotiate with the rebels. Late Saturday,Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim said troops halted all activity.

On Sunday,rebels took control of Misratas main hospital,on Tripoli Street. A Misrata rebel,Lutfi,said there had been 300-400 Gaddafi fighters in the main hospital that were trying to melt into the local population. They are trying to run way, Lutfi said. They are pretending to be civilians.

Meanwhile,Mustafa Abdel Jalil,head of Libyan rebel national council,said Kuwait will contribute 177.2 million to Libyas rebel council.