NATO says Gaddafi forces laid landmines around Misrata

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NATO on Friday accused forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi of laying landmines around the rebel-held city of Misrata to prevent the population from moving.

The mining of Misrata's surrounding area is part of the regime's efforts to take back the key western port after rebels routed them from the city earlier this month, said the commander of the NATO mission in Libya, Lieutenant General Charles Bouchard.

"This morning's report showed us that a minefield was laid in the Misrata area," Bouchard told a news conference via videolink from his headquarters in Naples, Italy.

"Anti-personnel landmines, in contravention to international law, had been laid in the Misrata area to prevent the population from moving," he said. "Mines do not make a difference whether it is a child or an adult."

Recalling that NATO does not have troops on the ground, Bouchard said the alliance would monitor the situation but that it would be other "appropriate people" who will have to demine the area.

The shelling by Gaddafi forces against Misrata has "all but stopped" and the city has seen some "return to normalcy," the Canadian general said.

Gaddafi forces had already tried to drop sea mines in Misrata harbour. NATO warships intervened to disarm the anti-shipping weapons.