Global General

US urges Gaddafi to allow relief effort in Misrata

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-05-05 08:40

WASHINGTON - The US State Department on Wednesday urged Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to allow international organizations to "provide relief and evacuation services" to civilians stranded in Libyan western city of Misrata.

State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the Gaddafi government should take "all measures" to facilitate international organizations, such as International Organization for Migration and others, to evacuate "third-country nationals and wounded Libyans" from Misrata.

He said the International Organization for Migration reported that "migrants from Africa and Asia" remained stranded in Misrata, and "many badly wounded civilians" in Misrata overwhelmed hospitals there.

As fighting between Libyan government forces and rebels lingers on, the humanitarian situation has been deteriorating in the country. The World Food Program (WFP) on Thursday warned that Libya is at risk of a full-blown food security crisis within the next 45 to 60 days.