LIBYA: National Transitional Council fighter says forces are gradually seizing control of Sirte

Record ID: 375412

  • Title: LIBYA: National Transitional Council fighter says forces are gradually seizing control of Sirte
  • Date: 17th September 2011
  • Summary: 2KM WEST OF SIRTE, LIBYA (SEPTEMBER 16, 2011) (REUTERS) NATIONAL TRANSITIONAL COUNCIL (NTC) FIGHTERS ON PICKUP TRUCKS WITH MOUNTED WEAPONS NTC FIGHTERS GATHERED ON ROADSIDE FIGHTERS TAKING COVER BEHIND TRUCKS, AUDIO OF GUNFIRE VARIOUS OF FIGHTERS ON PICKUP TRUCKS, AUDIO OF SHELLING AND GUNFIRE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) NATIONAL TRANSITIONAL COUNCIL FIGHTER, MUHAMMAD HALI
  • Embargoed: 2nd October 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Libya
  • Country: Libya
  • Topics: Conflict
  • Reuters ID: LVAD0TN7T0H2KKZU1F59NREHBBF8
  • Story Text: Sniper fire flashed out from the defenders of Muammar Gaddafi's hometown Sirte on Friday (September 16) as fighters loyal to the new government seized the airport and ripped down billboards of the fugitive former leader.
    Hundreds of soldiers rode into the battle on tanks or pick-ups mounted with guns but by nightfall, pockets of Gaddafi loyalists were still resisting from within the city on Libya's central Mediterranean coast.
    Sirte is one of Gaddafi's last, isolated bastions but whether he is there or not is not known.
    "God willing, the situation is perfect - a hundred percent. It is safe and stable here. This is Sirte. Our friends and beloved ones are inside . We pray that God will protect them and give them the strength. God willing today, today, today, Sirte will be completely in control. We will demolish that dog (Gaddafi), God willing," said fighter Muhammad Halifa on a road littered with bullet and shell casings 2km west of Sirte.
    Earlier in the day, fighters loyal to Libya's new interim government, the National Transitional Council (NTC), exchanged rocket and gunfire with groups of loyalists concealed inside residential areas of the city, which lies 450 km (280 miles) east of Tripoli.
    Many Gaddafi supporters had fled the city already.
    Scores of armed trucks packed with pro-NTC fighters gathered outside a breeze-block mosque on the edge of Sirte while others sped towards the centre accompanied by four tanks.
    Explosions, rapid gunfire and the whoosh of rockets echoed from the city centre and black clouds of smoke curled into the sky above. NATO planes roared overhead.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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