Libyan Rebels Warn of Massacre in Misrata

Artillery attacks have claimed at least 23 lives, mostly those of women and children, in the rebel-held city as NATO debates its strategy.

A day of intense shelling of the Libyan city of Misrata, in which 23 civilians were killed, has led leaders of the North African country's rebellion to call on NATO to step up attacks against forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi. Rebel spokesmen and aid groups said that a massacre was unfolding in Misrata, the westernmost city in Libya held by opposition troops that has been under siege for six weeks. NATO foreign ministers are meeting this week in Berlin to co-ordinate strategy in the Libyan conflict, with Britain and France calling for more resources to unseat Gadhafi, while others in the alliance have expressed reservations over escalation.