ALGIERS - Security forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi on Thursday attacked anti-government militias controlling the town of Misrata and killed several people, a witness told Reuters by telephone.
Misrata is about 200 km (125 miles) east of Tripoli. The witness, called Mohamed, said a unit of a paramilitary force controlled by one of Gaddafi's sons, Khamis, attacked near Misrata airport.
"Khamis's brigade launched a violent attack on protesters near the airport this morning at around 10:30 (0830 GMT). The brigade has managed to control the site but we are still trying to push it back," he said.
"The clashes are still taking place at the moment." He said several people were killed but did not immediately have any figures for the dead.
He said the airport is about 3 km (2 miles) from the centre of Misrata, which has been under the control of anti-government groups for several days. "There is nothing in the centre of town, it's calm," said Mohamed.
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