The forces of the new Libyan authorities entered the center of Sirte, Muammar Gaddafi's hometown, today, where fierce street fighting is taking place.
Commanders of government forces said the battle had entered its final hours.
The battle for Sirte is being fought with great civilian casualties. Civilians are blocked by clashes in a situation where they are running out of food and water, and hospitals are overflowing with wounded.
During the day, the artillery fire of Gaddafi loyalists on the outskirts of Sirte weakened, which allowed the forces of the new government to enter the city.
"More than half of the city is under the control of anti-Gaddafi rebels. In two days, with God's help, Sirte will be free," said the local commander of the National Transitional Council.
The capture of Sirte has great symbolic significance for the new Libyan authorities
A Reuters reporter based not far from the city center reported that he could occasionally hear mortar fire on positions of transitional council forces, but that Gaddafi's fighters had now started using small arms and engaged in close-quarters combat.
The capture of Sirte has great symbolic significance for the new Libyan authorities, as this city is one of the last strongholds of Gaddafi's forces in the country. This would allow the new authorities to start preparations for the elections.
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