NATO forces clearing sea mines off Libyan coast

Several NATO vessels have been deployed off the Libyan coastal city of Misrata to clear naval mines that were dropped outside the harbour last week by forces loyal to Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi, in an attempt to cut off aid to the besieged the rebel-held city.

A French frigate on April 29 detected four small boats dropping three sea mines in the approach to Misrata, causing humanitarian shipping to be obstructed. Since then two of the mines have been cleared. The search for the exact location of the third mine that was observed is still under way.


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