Libyan opposition accuses Gadhafi of using human shields

PanARMENIAN.Net - Forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi are bringing civilians from nearby towns to the rebel-held city of Misrata to use as human shields, a rebel spokesman told Reuters on Monday, March 21.

The report from Misrata, the only big rebel stronghold left in western Libya, could not be independently verified and there was no immediate comment from Libyan officials.

Residents also said that armed pro-Gadhafi forces had entered the city dressed in civilian clothes and that snipers posted on rooftops were shooting anyone who came within range.

"The Gaddafi forces are forcing people from Zawiyat al Mahjoub and Al Ghiran out of their houses and giving them Gadhafi's pictures and the (official Libyan) green flag to chant for Gaddafi," Hassan, a rebel spokesman, said.

"They are bringing them to Misrata so they can enter the city and control it by using the civilians as human shields because they know we are not going to shoot woman and children and old people," he said by telephone from Misrata.