Rebels Capture Misrata Airport

BBC reports:

Libyan rebels have captured Misrata airport, driving back troops loyal to Col Muammar Gaddafi, reports say.

Hundreds of rebels were celebrating in the streets after pro-Gaddafi forces fled, leaving behind tanks that were set on fire, witnesses said.

Government forces have been pounding the western city, which remains largely under rebel control, for weeks.

Its port has become a lifeline for supplying civilians and for evacuating wounded people fleeing the fighting.

Meanwhile, explosions were reported in the capital Tripoli on Wednesday, after Nato said its planes had carried out 6,000 missions over Libya since it assumed command of military operations there at the end of March.

The air strikes have helped secure rebels in their strongholds in eastern Libya, but observers say it remains unclear to what extent they have loosened Col Gaddafi's grip on western Libya.