LIBYA: Red Cross brings medical supplies into Gaddafi hometown as fierce resistance keeps NTC pinned down on eastern front

Record ID: 745378

  • Title: LIBYA: Red Cross brings medical supplies into Gaddafi hometown as fierce resistance keeps NTC pinned down on eastern front
  • Date: 2nd October 2011
  • Summary: VARIOUS FIGHTERS OF THE INTERIM GOVERNMENT
  • Embargoed: 17th October 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Libya
  • Country: Libya
  • Topics: Conflict
  • Reuters ID: LVA41WUJQTHOLBNWW10XA0JIDYNY
  • Story Text: Aid workers from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) brought medical supplies into Muammar Gaddafi's besieged hometown of Sirte on Saturday (October 1) as fears grew that a humanitarian disaster may unfold inside.
    Civilians have been streaming out of Sirte in their hundreds over the last few days as interim government forces intensified their shelling of the coastal city in an effort to dislodge fighters loyal to Gaddafi.
    The prolonged battle for Sirte, encircled by anti-Gaddafi fighters and hit by regular NATO air strikes, has trapped people inside the town of about 100,000 people through several fierce assaults over two weeks.
    Fighting continued on fronts to the west and east of the town on Saturday, with both sides again exchanging rocket and mortar fire. Loud thuds were heard from the centre, and white smoke billowed up into skies where NATO planes roared.
    A truckload of supplies and two cars carrying European ICRC workers arrived at western checkpoint manned by fighters loyal to the ruling National Transitional Council (NTC).
    Some NTC commanders said they would try to allow the foreign workers safe passage into the city but shelling continued.
    An ICRC worker, Karen Strugg, told Reuters her colleagues were on their way.
    "We do have a team that has left this morning towards Sirte and is ahead and (in Arabic) God willing we will manage to distribute our items until today," she said.
    Fighting remained heavy at a roundabout in the east of the city where NTC fighters have been held at bay for six days by artillery and sniper fire from pro-Gaddafi forces.
    NTC commanders said the snipers were the main factor frustrating their advance. Reuters journalists have seen some anti-Gaddafi fighters run from the front under the fire.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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