Reply #30: Libya crisis: stench of death as shooting stops in centre of besieged Misurata

[joshcryer]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8469990/Libya-crisis-stench-of-death-as-shooting-stops-in-centre-of-besieged-Misurata.html">Libya crisis: stench of death as shooting stops in centre of besieged Misurata
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Khaled Kaim, deputy foreign minister, said: "If they cannot solve the problem in Misrata, then the people from (the neighbouring towns of) Zliten, Tarhuna, Bani Walid and Tawargha will move in and they will talk to the rebels," he threatened. "If they don't surrender, then they will engage them in a fight."

Such threats were hollow because most people in the surrounding towns supported the revolutionaries' cause, Mr Hamidi said, adding: "He said he will leave it for tribes to solve the problem. It won't happen. Libya has risen up as cities, not as tribes. We fight as a city not as a tribe and all the tribes are with us."

His face darkened though when asked about the humanitarian situation inside the town of 500,000 people which is just 120 miles east of Tripoli and he paused, lost for words, when asked what he thought would happen to the city. "I can't give you an answer, anything could happen unless we get help," he said.

The main water pipe to Misurata has been cut and households are getting water from local wells and an industrial desalination plant. The Red Cross has said the humanitarian situation is rapidly deteriorating and warned of a critical shortage of water, electricity, food and medical care.

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Gaddafi cut water and electricity to an entire city. His last ditch attempt to foment "tribal divides" appears to be failing.