NATO minesweepers have searched the approaches of Misrata harbour for a drifting mine that has blocked aid supplies to the besieged Libyan city and halted evacuation of foreigners and wounded Libyans.
A NATO statement has said that the alliance had destroyed two of three mines laid off the rebel-led city on Friday by forces of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
But a third mine drifted free before specialised ships could arrive, NATO mine hunters are now working to locate and destroy this mine and to scan the area for any further possible threats.
Mines are small and hard to detect but capable of doing serious damage to shipping.
NATO has said that the decision on whether to open the port was a matter for the Misrata Port Authority and whether to approach was a decision for local mariners.
A rebel spokesman said the port remained closed today, even though NATO air strikes during the day had halted bombardments by Gaddafi's forces.
Meanwhile, forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi have shelled the rebel-held town of Zintan in the Western Mountains this evening.
They are resuming an assault after NATO air strikes took place overnight.
