Libyan fighters step up Sirte assault
- 13 years ago
Libyan government fighters pummel Sirte with missiles - as the battle for former leader Muammar Gaddafi's hometown continues.
The area has been under siege for weeks, and remains one of only two towns in Libya where there is still armed resistance against the interim government.
The fighters have boxed in the remaining Gaddafi loyalists in the centre of town, but are cautious about advancing to protect civilians.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) FIELD COMMANDER IN THE TANKS BRIGADE IN SIRTE, JAMAL MOHAMMAD MOUSSA:
"We coordinate with the revolutionaries on the other side and take the right position to avoid friendly fire, and God willing within days, within hours we can do it. But we are afraid for the lives of the families still inside."
The failure to seize Sirte after taking control of the rest of the country has delayed Libya's democratic transition.
The country's new rulers - who deposed Muammar Gaddafi after a bloody struggle - say the process of rebuilding can only begin once Sirte is captured.
The often chaotic struggle for the city 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.
Simon Hanna, Reuters.
The area has been under siege for weeks, and remains one of only two towns in Libya where there is still armed resistance against the interim government.
The fighters have boxed in the remaining Gaddafi loyalists in the centre of town, but are cautious about advancing to protect civilians.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) FIELD COMMANDER IN THE TANKS BRIGADE IN SIRTE, JAMAL MOHAMMAD MOUSSA:
"We coordinate with the revolutionaries on the other side and take the right position to avoid friendly fire, and God willing within days, within hours we can do it. But we are afraid for the lives of the families still inside."
The failure to seize Sirte after taking control of the rest of the country has delayed Libya's democratic transition.
The country's new rulers - who deposed Muammar Gaddafi after a bloody struggle - say the process of rebuilding can only begin once Sirte is captured.
The often chaotic struggle for the city 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.
Simon Hanna, Reuters.