LIBYA: National Transitional Council (NTC) fighters push deeper into Sirte

Record ID: 375002

  • Title: LIBYA: National Transitional Council (NTC) fighters push deeper into Sirte
  • Date: 9th October 2011
  • Summary: SIRTE, LIBYA (OCTOBER 8, 2011) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF HEAVY FIGHTING IN STREETS OF SIRTE VARIOUS OF NATIONAL TRANSITIONAL COUNCIL (NTC) FIGHTER VEHICLES ADVANCING INTO SIRTE VARIOUS OF NTC FIGHTERS IN STREETS DAMAGED BY FIGHTING NTC FIGHTING VEHICLE DRIVING IN STREET NTC FIGHTING VEHICLE MOVING INTO STATE HOUSING COMPLEX VARIOUS OF WOUNDED AMBULANCE LEAVING VARIOUS O
  • Embargoed: 24th October 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Libya
  • Country: Libya
  • Topics: Conflict,Defence / Military
  • Reuters ID: LVAAS78PCLXWWLOPLF494TP93VRA
  • Story Text: Libyan fighters loyal to the interim-ruling National Transitional Council (NTC) pushed further into the town of Sirte on Saturday (October 8) following heavy street battles.
    The advance in Muammar Gaddafi's hometown allowed government fighters to capture a large state housing complex in the past 24 hours.
    "This place is called the housing complex of Saba'amiyah and the revolutionaries of Misrata were able to capture it yesterday and thank God we were able to gain control of it. Yesterday there was heavy clashes here and we managed to control it," said NTC field commander Walid al-Futouri.
    The capture of the area will be a welcome boost to Libya's new rulers, who have put a full transition on hold until highly-symbolic Sirte is under their full control.
    The NTC has been frustrated by stiff resistance by Gaddafi loyalists in the relatively small coastal town.
    Saturday's fighting has been some of the heaviest in weeks.
    Along with the interior desert town of Bani Walid, Sirte is one of the last urban areas of Gaddafi loyalists in the country he ruled alone for 42 years.
    It presents a particular challenge for Libya's new rulers. A drawn-out battle with many civilian casualties will breed hostility that will make it very difficult for the NTC to unite the country once the fighting is over.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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