Libyan forces took over Sirte airport again while NATO hits Gaddafi's stronghold

Forces loyal to Libya's transitional authorities have taken the airport in the city of Sirte, the birthplace of fugitive leader Muammar Gaddafi. Jubilant fighters moved through the partially destroyed terminal buildings tearing down symbols of the Gaddafi regime. Gaddafi loyalists have put up stiff resistance in Sirte. Two weeks ago transitional forces took the airport, a short distance from the city centre, but were then driven back.

Nato planes have bombed targets in one of the last pro-Gaddafi strongholds, Sirte, as government forces continue their assault on the city. Soldiers of the National Transitional Council (NTC) have been facing fierce resistance and deployed tanks to fend off sniper fire by Gaddafi loyalists. NTC forces have seized the port as they move towards the centre of Sirte - the birthplace of Libya's ousted leader. Civilians have been leaving the city, as water, food and medicine run low.

Britain's ministry of defence said Royal Air Force and Nato aircraft had been "very active" over Sirte on Tuesday, destroying military targets including ammunition storage facilities.

They also conducted strikes on a vehicle storage depot that has been serving as one of the main pro-Gaddafi bases. The air strikes continued on Wednesday.

Fierce resistance

Along with the city of Bani Walid, Sirte is the last major area under the control of Gaddafi loyalists. Both cities have been the scene of intense fighting in recent weeks.

In Bani Walid, according to one report, at least 11 NTC fighters were killed by rockets fired by pro-Gaddafi troops on Wednesday. A field commander said resistance from fighters loyal to Col Gaddafi had stalled the NTC's advance on the city.

"There is always incoming missile and artillery fire. We are returning fire with heavy weapons but we are not sending in infantry," Capt Walid Khaimej told AFP. "Nato is here but is not doing enough. They take out the rocket launchers firing at us, but they are immediately replaced. We need more help from Nato." The Red Cross has warned that the living conditions for civilians both in Sirte and Bani Walid are becoming increasingly critical.

Civilians have continued to flee from Sirte, as a lack of clean drinking water is reported to have led to the spread of water-borne diseases. "There's no food, no electricity. We were eating just bread," Sirte resident Saraj al-Tuweish told AFP news agency as he left the city on Tuesday. "I've been trying for 10 days to get out and every time the army forced us back. Today, we used a dirt road early in the morning and we managed to escape." In the capital, Tripoli, interim authorities said they had found the site of a further mass grave, near the Rixos Hotel. They said that eight bodies had so far been uncovered.

It is thought Col Gaddafi is still in Libya but his location is unknown. Many of his inner circle have already fled the country. His daughter Aisha escaped to Algeria several weeks ago, and has appeared on the Syrian-based Arrai TV channel telling the audience her father was healthy and fighting alongside his troops.

Source: BBC