Libyan rebels have beaten back the fiercest attack so far by Muammar Gaddafi’s forces on the town of Misrata. Government forces used tanks and artillery in their effort to retake the town, 200 km east of the capital Tripoli, but were pushed back by rebels fighting Gaddafi’s 41-year old rule. A Misrata resident said, Gaddafi’s forces have retreated to a military airbase 7 km from the town. A doctor at Misrata’s main hospital said at least 18 people were killed in the attack.

More than two weeks since the uprising began against Gaddafi; heavy gunfire was heard in the capital

Tripoli. The machine-gun and heavy weapons fire could be heard across the city. As ding-dong heavy battles continued across the country, the US and NATO warships and fighters were positioned off the strife-torn country’s coast.

A British diplomatic team, which is reported to have included Special Forces soldiers, left Libya yesterday after being captured by rebels in the eastern town of Benghazi. British Foreign Secretary William Hague said the problems the team had encountered have been satisfactorily resolved and Britain will send another delegation to meet rebel leaders soon.