Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


    October 08, 2011

Libyan Government Forces Continue Assault on Sirte

   VOA News
   Libyan provisional government fighters attacking pro-Gadhafi forces in
   Sirte, Oct. 7, 2011. Photo: AP
   Libyan provisional government fighters attacking pro-Gadhafi forces in
   Sirte, Oct. 7, 2011.

   Libyan provisional government fighters advanced Saturday on former
   leader Moammar Gadhafi's hometown of Sirte as a sandstorm blankets the
   area.
   Saturday's fighting centered around the Ouagadougou conference center,
   where pro-Gadhafi fighters are based.
   At one point during the fighting, a heavy sandstorm covered the city
   hindering the assault and disrupting efforts by residents trying to
   flee the city.
   The provisional government fighters have been battling for control of
   Sirte for three weeks.
   Sirte, located about 360 kilometers east of Tripoli, is one of the few
   remaining holdouts for the former leader's loyalists.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.