Sirte: Jubilant revolutionary forces have raised their tri-color flag over a convention center in Sirte that long served as a base for Muammar Gaddafi`s loyalists, even as fighting rages elsewhere in the fugitive leader`s hometown.
Col. Younis al-Abdally, a commander in Sirte, says his troops have surrounded pro-Gaddafi fighters in a small area in the upscale neighborhood of Dollar Street.
The statement comes after days of fierce battles, with tank, rocket and machine-gun fire echoing through the streets around the Ouagadougou Convention Center, an ornate complex that Gaddafi frequently used for international summits.
Libya`s new rulers have said they expect Sirte to fall this week, but die-hard supporters of the longtime leader are putting up a fierce resistance.
Bureau Report
