LIBYA: Government forces fire missiles at Gaddafi loyalists in the former Libyan leader's hometown of Sirte

Record ID: 375512

  • Title: LIBYA: Government forces fire missiles at Gaddafi loyalists in the former Libyan leader's hometown of Sirte
  • Date: 18th October 2011
  • Summary: SIRTE, LIBYA (OCTOBER 17, 2011) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SMOKE RISING OVER SIRTE, AUDIO OF GUNFIRE VARIOUS OF BLACK SMOKE RISING OVER BUILDINGS VARIOUS OF FIGHTERS LAUNCHING ROCKETS VARIOUS OF FIGHTERS PREPARING ROCKETS FIGHTERS WITH ROCKET-LAUNCHER ON PICK-UP TRUCK VARIOUS OF FIGHTERS LOADING ROCKETS INTO ROCKET-LAUNCHERS FIGHTERS FIRING ROCKETS VARIOUS OF FIGHTERS LOADING RO
  • Embargoed: 2nd November 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Libya
  • Country: Libya
  • Topics: Conflict
  • Reuters ID: LVA64W96ISZ5O84D27725W417BGN
  • Story Text: Libyan government fighters stepped-up their assault on Gaddafi's hometown on Monday (October 17), firing missiles at forces loyal to the country's former leader.
    Gaddafi loyalists have been under siege in the town for weeks.
    National Transitional Council (NTC) forces maintained their bombardment of a small area where they have boxed in the remaining Gaddafi fighters in the centre of the town, but there was little or no sign of NTC forces making any progress on Monday.
    Gaddafi's hometown has been one of only two towns in Libya where there is still armed resistance to NTC rule.
    The failure to seize Sirte has delayed Libya's democratic transition. The country's new rulers say the process will only begin once Sirte is captured.
    The often chaotic struggle for Sirte has killed scores of people, left thousands homeless and laid waste to much of what was once a showpiece Mediterranean city where Gaddafi entertained foreign leaders.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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