5 April 2011 Last updated at 00:56

In pictures: Libya rebels battle for Misrata

In the port city of Misrata, in western Libya, a band of rebel fighters is holding out against forces loyal to Libya's leader, Col Muammar Gaddafi.

Rebel fighter on Benghazi Street, Misrata

As the last rebel-held town in Libya's west, Misrata has become the scene of a bloody battle for power. Photographer Alfredo Bini travelled to the city on a fishing boat delivering weekly aid shipments.

From the sea, Misrata's port looks calm and ordinary. Inland, though, the frontline runs right through the city, the centre of which is now charred and deserted.

At the hospital there is plenty of evidence of a bitter battle. Anxious family members wait by the bedsides of loved ones injured in the fighting, while doctors work with limited resources.

Evidence has emerged of the toll the fighting is taking on Misrata's civilians. This man was hurt in the centre of the city, despite the ongoing Nato air campaign aimed at protecting civilians from Col Gaddafi's troops.

Many of those hurt are young, including this 19 year old.

Doctors show family members an x-ray at hospital in Misrata

Others have been shot by snipers hidden inside the city, or were injured by shrapnel from heavy weaponry and rocket fire.

An X-ray showing shrapnel lodged in a Misrata lawyer

This X-ray shows shrapnel lodged in the chest of a local lawyer injured 10 days ago. He remains in a coma.

The town centre is now effectively out of bounds, with rebels patrolling the streets and snipers operating in Misrata's two main thoroughfares.

Battle-scarred building in Misrata, Libya

Few foreign news organisations have made it into the city centre, where water is cut off and deadly bombings and shootings are commonplace.

Woman with children at temporary accommodation for orphans, Misrata

Away from the frontline, children from a city orphanage are being cared for in temporary accommodation after their premises was bombed.

Foreign workers stranded in Misrata, Libya

Elsewhere in Misrata, thousands of foreign workers are stranded in the city, still without a way home to their countries many weeks after the uprising began.

Africa

In pictures: Libya rebels battle for Misrata

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