Libyan rebels held out under continues bombing and sniper fire from Moammar Gadhafi’s forces last Sunday in the city of Misrata – the last city that rebels have a grip on in Western Libya. 17 people were killed said and opposition activist.

Government forces have been trying to take siege in the Mediterranean coast of Libya for weeks, forcing NATO to intensify their airstrikes on Gadhafi’s men.

A resident in Misrata said that on Sunday, government troops pushed through the city center and pounded them with rocket-propelled grenades. By then, residents have already gotten used to the sound of missiles and gun shots. He also said that there were snipers everywhere prepared to shoot on anything that has a hear beat in the city center.

Rida al-Montasser, an activist reached via Skype, said that the rebels are fighting government troops from a central produce market. He further said that the hospital report a doctor gave him showed that 17 people were killed and 74 others were severely injured. Gadhafi’s people allegedly fired even at hospitals.

The airstrikes led by NATO were able to ensure that rebels were not defeated but there are still no signs that the war will end anytime soon. Furthermore, NATO dismissed rumors that they lack aircrafts. Defense Minister of France Gerard Longuet said that what they lack is concrete ground information.

On Sunday, spokesperson of the Libyan Government Moussa Ibrahim denied allegations of human rights supporters that the government used heavy weapons. He also said that they gathered reports that members of al-Qaida terror network have joined the rebels; and now, NATO is helping them too.