UN calls for halt to Libyan hostilities

UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations on Wednesday called for a cessation of hostilities around the Libyan city of Misrata to get help to the wounded and let people escape fighting between Moamer Kadhafi's forces and opposition rebels.

"The situation on the ground is critical for a large number of people who immediately need food, clean water and emergency medical assistance," said UN under secretary general for humanitarian affairs, Valerie Amos, who made the appeal.

"Now is a time when people's ability to move is a life or death matter. We need a temporary cessation of hostilities in the area so that people can get themselves and their families out of harm's way, if they choose to do so," Amos said.

Misrata, a city of 300,000 people about 215 kilometers (130 miles) east of Tripoli, has seen continuous fighting for more than 40 days with hundreds of people dead and wounded, according to the UN.

Thousands are stranded in the city, unable to leave and facing growing shortages of food, water, medicines, electricity and other basic supplies, said a UN statement.

"The United Nations has supplies at the ready -- a temporary cessation of hostilities would allow us to get those supplies to people who desperately need them," Amos said.

Libyan rebel leaders have urged the NATO-led coalition enforcing a no-fly zone over Libya to do more to help the people of Misrata because of the growing toll. (AFP)