A Libyan commander says revolutionary forces have completely surrounded Muammar Qadhafi’s hometown of Sirte and are engaged in heavy fighting on the city’s streets.
Mustafa al-Rubai says fighters from eastern Libya seized control of Sirte’s first residential district and a hotel where Col. Qadhafi’s snipers were based.
Mr. al-Rubai told The Associated Press on Saturday that even though the fighters have surrounded Sirte from all sides, a path out has been left for civilians who still want to leave the coastal city.
Libyan fighters say that after weeks of fighting Col. Qadhafi’s loyalists inside Sirte, they now hold positions about 5 km from the city centre.
The Libyan Defence Ministry has said the fighters also seized the Sirte port, military base and airport last week.
