Benghazi - Libyan rebels on Monday said they had sent more fighters and weaponry by sea to Tripoli from their coastal enclave of Misrata, about 200km east.
“Several ships arrived in our beloved capital Tripoli from Misrata, with a large number of fighters and ammunition on board,” said a statement from the Information Centre of the Military Council of Misrata.
The previous day, during the rebel offensive on the capital, “nearly 200 fighters from the Misrata rebels had infiltrated Tripoli by sea”, it added.
In Tripoli, electricity in the entire capital with the apparent exception of Muammar Gaddafi’s compound at Bab al-Azizya was cut off, an AFP correspondent said.
The darkness did not prevent residents in the southwestern Gorji neighbourhood from spilling onto the streets, marching and singing as word spread that rebel reinforcements had arrived from Misrata and other eastern rebel areas.
Misrata rebels have also continued their progress from Tripoli to join up with local insurgents, the statement said, reiterating that the rebels “are determined to continue their advance to the capital”.
They also continued to advance south from Misrata toward Sirte, Gaddafi’s hometown and a bastion of his regime.
Scouts have advanced to beyond the town of Abegrin, more than 100km south of Misrata, where they were shot at by Gaddafi forces, but there were no casualties, the statement added.
Men and children carrying rebel flags chanted “Allahu Akbar” as they marched in Tripoli's Gorji district, while women managed to match their volume with the same chant despite remaining indoors. - Sapa-AFP