Rebels and residents of Misrata said bodies lay scattered in the streets of the city

Rebels and residents of Misrata said bodies lay scattered in the streets of the city and medics struggled to cope with the wounded on Monday after some of the bloodiest fighting of a two-month-old siege.

People emerged from homes after daybreak to scenes of devastation after Muammar Gaddafi's forces pulled back from the city under cover of blistering rocket and tank fire, said witnesses contacted by phone.

Medics said more than 20 people were killed in clashes on Sunday and 28 on Saturday