Libya rebels captured Misrata airport Wednesday after a fierce battle with Moamar Gaddafi's troops. Reports said the airport of Libya's third city, which had been besieged for almost two months by Gaddafi's forces, fell to the rebels after fighting that raged through the night. Marking their first significant advance after weeks of being pinned back by Gaddafi loyalists, the insurgents are now in full control of the complex, which also houses an African market and a prison. They celebrated the victory by cheering in the streets and setting ablaze tanks left behind by Gaddafi's troops. Three bodies of slain government soldiers were seen lying nearby. The capture of the airport is seen as significant, as the city had been cut off from the outside world by Gaddafi's forces, with the port being the only route in or out of the city. Meanwhile, a volley of missiles struck east of the Libyan capital Tripoli on Wednesday after intense overflights by NATO-led aircraft, a witness said. There was no immediate confirmation from the Western alliance. NATO on Tuesday said that since the alliance took over military operations on March 31 to protect civilians from pro-Gaddafi forces, jets have conducted almost 6,000 sorties, including more than 2,300 strike missions.