Desperate residents escape to Benghazi

Benghazi: One was old and frail, dignified in his traditional cap and white scarf.

The other was just a boy, barely in his teens. Both were weeping as they arrived in the relative safety of Benghazi after a 33-hour journey from Misrata, the city that has been under siege from Muammar Gaddafi's forces for weeks.

In focus: Unrest in the Middle East

"You cannot imagine the situation there," said Omar Abdul Rahman Gseibat, 76, hugging his son and grandson. "The rockets were so heavy."

The boy, Mosabah, struggled for words, exhausted.

"They were killing so many people. Even the water, they cut it off. There is little food."

The boat, which had a heavy machine gun mounted in front, arrived in the rebel stronghold Benghazi at dusk on Monday night.

Medical help

It was carrying more than 100 people. Anxious families shouted "God is Great" as it docked, and several volley of gunfire crackled in the air.

Several passengers were in dire need of medical attention, others had been injured in Misrata, including a woman in her 50s, and were rushed immediately to hospital in waiting ambulances.

Those needing medical help included Abdullah, a sickly-looking 28-year-old year man who had a walking stick, who did not want to give his surname as his family is still in Misrata.

The heavy fighting had prevented him from getting dialysis treatment.

And then there were the very young. Hawa, a tiny nine-year-old girl with glasses, leapt into her father's arms on the quayside. "I am so happy to be here," she said. "It's a big war there."