Moammar Ghadafy's thugs have lifted their siege of Misrata and fled the city, according to reports out today.
Two months of misery and indiscriminate shelling that can only be described as despicable war crimes have apparently ended -- at least for the time being.
Ghadafy's forces have withdrawn from the city but are apparently still poised on the outskirts and within artillery range.
"Misrata is free, the rebels have won. Of Gadhafi's forces, some are killed and others are running away," rebel spokesman Gemal Salem told Reuters by telephone from the city.
But before retreating, Ghadafy's thugs left booby traps on dead bodies and cars.
"One man was opening his fridge when he went to his house after the Gadhafi forces left it this morning and it blew up in his face. Bodies the same. When the rebels are trying to lift a body it blows up," he said.
The linked story doesn't mention it, but there was a previous account which detailed how rebels had managed to clear several tall buildings of snipers. That may have been one of the catalysts that convinced Ghadafy to withdraw.