In Libya, amid fierce battles between Gaddafi’s troops and rebels on the eastern frontline of Ajdabiya nearly 1,000 foreign workers and wounded Libyans were evacuated from the besieged western city of Misurata. At least 4,000 foreign nationals who have been stranded at Misrata’s port for weeks, many of them Nigerians, are still hoping to flee. Misrata is the only rebel-controlled city in the west of the country and has been under siege for nearly two months.

The NATO alliance has been carrying out air strikes against loyalist forces in Libya to enforce the U.N.-authorized ‘no fly zone’ protecting civilians from attack by Mr. Gadhafi’s troops. The civil war, which erupted two months ago, has reached a stalemate, with neither side in a position to gain a decisive advantage amid a seesaw battle near Ajdabiya, the gateway to the rebel stronghold of Benghazi. The rebels have blamed the western alliance for failing to give them enough support.

Meanwhile, the Libyan regime has agreed to provide the UN access to Misurata amid fears of humanitarian crisis. UN Deputy Secretary General Valerie Amos held talks with the Libyan regime and asked them to cease hostilities to allow people leave and allow urgent medical supplies into the city.