Libyan govt. troops defect in Misratah

[tabatha]

Small bit of good news for the protesters.

A group of government troops formerly loyal to embattled Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi has defected to the revolutionary side in the northwestern city of Misratah.

Late on Saturday, the group of government troops joined opposition fighters, who are keeping a tenuous hold on Misratah, which is located 150 kilometers (95 miles) east of the Libyan capital Tripoli, Reuters reported.

The report of the defections will be another bad omen for the government, whose troops launched several assaults on Misratah last week in an unsuccessful attempt to recapture the city.

However, Gaddafi’s troops now control both the town and the oil refinery in Ras Lanouf, located 380 miles (615 kilometers) southeast of Tripoli.

The assault on the key port city over the past few days is a sign that the Gaddafi camp has regrouped and is attempting to compensate for the setbacks they have suffered since the anti-government protests began on February 15.

http://arabrevolt.wordpress.com/2011/03/13/libyan-govt-troops-defect-in-misratah/