Libya's rebels claimed a major victory Wednesday in their fight against leader Moamar Gaddafi's forces by taking control of Misurata's airport, dpa reported.
The rebels's political leadership, the Interim Transitional National Council (ITNC), based in the eastern stronghold of Benghazi, said its fighters in the northwestern city had captured the airport thanks to the support of fighters from the nearby town of Zlitan.
However, activists warned that the airport is still in range of Gaddafi's forces, who have used Grad missiles to carry out attacks throughout the country.
Since mid-February, Libyan activists have armed themselves in a battle to oust Gaddafi, in power for 42 years. The opposition claims that more than 12,000 people have been killed in the fighting so far.
The opposition now hopes that if it can push Gaddafi's forces fully out of Misurata, it can advance towards the capital Tripoli, which is 200 kilometres west of Misurata.
Rebels have also been more openly operating out of the western part of Tripoli in recent days, with the Free Libya flag making fleeting appearances on several schools and bridges before being taken down.
In the capital, which remains under Gaddafi's control, loud explosions were heard Wednesday morning, with residents saying NATO warplanes struck at government sites.
One NATO strike hit a building, which locals said was used by a military intelligence agency, while another targeted a government building that officials said was sometimes used by parliament members, reported the opposition Libya TV.
NATO said it struck at six vehicles, three ammunition storages, and two pieces of heavy weaponry, including a missile launcher in Tripoli on Tuesday.
This came on the same day that NATO said it had began a second phase of its military operation, this time targeting Gaddafi's command centres.
In the east, rebels were forced on the retreat soon after making an advance towards the town of Ajdabiya.
The rebels have for weeks been trying to move west of Adjabiya, but have been unable to regain control of the road linking the town to the oil-port city of Brega, which remains under Gaddafi's control.
Meanwhile, the United States' State Department representative in Benghazi said the first shipment of non-lethal US assistance to the ITNC had arrived.
It included prepackaged food supplies, medical supplies, uniforms, boots, tents and personal protective gear.
The European Union is now planning to open an office in Benghazi to support Libya's population and the ITNC.
"Let us be clear: Gaddafi must go from power and end his regime," the EU's top diplomat, Catherine Ashton, said to applause from EU lawmakers in Strasbourg, France.
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