Colonel Gaddafi's regime staged a show of force in Misurata last night to support claims it had retaken the only opposition stronghold in western Libya, despite reports British jets bombed tanks and armoured vehicles in the area.
By Damien McElroy, Misurata 12:03AM BST 29 Mar 2011
Soldiers from the feared 32nd Brigade of the Libyan army, known as the Khamis brigade for its loyalty to Col Gaddafi's son Khamis, had deployed to fixed positions around burnt-out buildings and pockmarked shopping centres.
Facing the best equipped and trained unit in the Libyan army, local fighters have proved resilient but are in retreat.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed RAF Tornado aircraft had destroyed two main battle tanks and two armoured vehicles in the Misurata area on Monday.
There was no evidence however that aerial intervention from Nato had been sustained and heavy enough to turn the tide. Military bases on the outskirts of the city showed no sign of the damage inflicted around Tripoli and front line towns such as Ajdabiyah.
Mobile radar stations were still operating on the south fringe of Misurata. Armour and heavy weapons that were dug into the hillsides were unscathed.
Backed by heavy automatic weapons fire, a stream of regime supporters staged a demonstration on Misurata's Tripoli street to celebrate the return of government control.
Pro-government loyalists converged on a satellite television van from the state broadcaster sent to record the fall of the port city. Government gunmen on high points along the street, which has been contested by army and rebels for two weeks, were forced to protective fire to the right and left of the long main road.
Hundreds gathered at a roundabout about a mile from Misurata's harbour. All claimed to be locals relieved to be able to venture out after the city was engulfed by battles.
"We've been very scared. I haven't been able to leave home," said Hamsa Ameen, a local student. "Look they have destroyed everything."
The chanting crowd waved posters of Col Gaddafi: "God, Muammar, Libya only." But the sights and sounds of city still being contested were constant.
A black plume of smoke rose from an oil depot. A rooftop sniper caused a stampede by indicating the crowd should pullback after a ferocious firefight broke out.
A Libyan army captain stepped forward from the crowd to claim that "victory was already won".
"There have been many air strikes. I have heard about my colleagues being killed but I have not been able to count them," he said. "But they are making us stronger."
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Monday, March 28th 2011 at 9:03PM
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