Rabat (ANTARA News/Reuters) - Air strikes by Western forces near Libya`s city of Misrata have targeted a military airbase where Muammar Gaddafi`s loyalists are based, two residents said on Saturday, denying state TV reports that fuel depots were hit.

The base is seven kilometres (four miles) from the city, which is Libya`s third largest and is the last rebel holdout in the west of the country.

"The international forces struck Gaddafi battalions in the air military college, but some of the (government) forces fled shortly before the attack," resident Abdulbasset told Reuters by phone.

Another resident said he had heard a loud explosion coming from the direction of the airbase. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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