FIERCE fighting is raging in Muammar Gaddafi's hometown Sirte as new regime forces press their campaign to capture it from determined loyalists of Libya's former leader. As military casualties mount, a rocket has killed two children when their family joined the desperate exodus of thousands who have already fled a city suffering from a growing humanitarian crisis.
An alternate report said two children and two adults had been killed by machinegun fire as they tried to flee the city.
The focus of the latest fighting was the Ouagadougou Conference Centre, a showpiece venue where Col Gaddafi hosted the launch of the African Union.
A large force of about 100 National Transitional Council (NTC) vehicles, including anti-tank guns and multiple missile launchers, entered the city from the south and circled the compound.
"We are surrounding the Ouagadougou Centre," fighter Osama Blao told AFP as he returned from the front line.
Several NTC fighters said the Red Crescent had asked them to stop firing because Red Cross officials were inspecting the nearby hospital. Some of the fighters pulled back after two hours of intense clashes, during which loyalist forces used snipers and mortar fire.
An alternate report said two children and two adults had been killed by machinegun fire as they tried to flee the city.
The focus of the latest fighting was the Ouagadougou Conference Centre, a showpiece venue where Col Gaddafi hosted the launch of the African Union.
A large force of about 100 National Transitional Council (NTC) vehicles, including anti-tank guns and multiple missile launchers, entered the city from the south and circled the compound.
"We are surrounding the Ouagadougou Centre," fighter Osama Blao told AFP as he returned from the front line.
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