Libyan rebels ready to make the last battle for Moammar Gadhafi's hometown of Sirte 2908111

Posted On
a
 

Defense News - Libya
 
 

Monday, August 29, 2011, 11:54 AM
 

Libyan rebels ready to make the last battle for Moammar Gadhafi's hometown of Sirte.
Libyan anti-Gadhafi forces are drawing closer to Moammar Gadhafi's hometown of Sirte, as they continue to search for the embattled leader after seizing control of the country's capital.
     


A Libyan rebel sits on top of an captured armoured vehicle near the residential area in Brega

     

On Sunday they rejected an offer by the deposed Libyan leader to negotiate a handover of power, instead they advanced on the town which is believed to hold large numbers of his supporters and significant military installations. NATO says Gaddafi’s army has fired several Scud missiles from Sirte.

The head of the opposition Transitional National Council, Mustafa Jalil, said Monday that Mr. Gadhafi still poses a threat to Libya and the world. Jalil also called for the continued support of NATO, which has been carrying out airstrikes against pro-Gadhafi forces since March under a U.N. mandate to protect civilians. His comments came as defense officials from countries involved militarily in Libya met in Qatar.

Libyan rebels earlier gained control of a key border post near Tunisia, and the Reuters news agency reported Sunday that authorities in Tunis had reopened the main Ras Jdir crossing into Libya. Trucks loaded with food and other supplies began to move towards Tripoli, about a 2-hour drive away.

In the west, opposition fighters were still battling for control of Zuwarah. Rebels faced stiff resistance from Gadhafi loyalists during efforts to advance into the city, which is on a major supply route into Tripoli.