Fighters of Libya’s National Transitional Council took control of the port of Sirte early on Tuesday, following fierce battles against Muammar Gaddafi’s loyalists during the night.
Fighters of Libya’s National Transitional Council took control of the port of Sirte early on Tuesday, following fierce battles against Muammar Gaddafi’s loyalists during the night.
"There were clashes in the night and we now are controlling the port," said Commander Mustafa bin Dardef of the NTC's Zintan Brigade.
The port lies on the north side of the city. However, military commanders of NTC are expecting more fierce resistance in the city center where the strongman’s compound and military bunkers lie.
"As we move closer to the city centre, it's going to be face-to-face street fighting and we are preparing for it," said one fighter, Ali Zaidi.
On Monday, NTC fighters captured a large weapons cache belonging to Gaddafi forces on the eastern outskirts of Sirte.
NATO BACKING FIGHTER WITH RAIDS
NATO warplanes have also been pounding the defenses of Gaddafi’s forces in Sirte, focusing all of their firepower on the city since the loyalist bastions of Al-Jufra and Sabha in the south fell to NTC forces last week.
The alliance said on Monday its aircraft had hit a command and control node, three ammunition or vehicle storage facilities, a radar facility, a multiple rocket launcher, a military support vehicle and an artillery piece in Gaddafi’s hometown.
SITUATION OF RESIDENTS CRITICAL 
On the other hand, hundreds fearful civilians have fled the Mediterranean coastal city in recent days.
Fleeing residents spoke of dwindling supplies of food and water and said Gaddafi forces had attempted to stop people leaving, while doctors warned of a growing humanitarian crisis.
"The situation in the city is very critical," said Muftah Mohammed, who drove out with his family and neighbors in a convoy of seven vehicles.
"There is no food, no water, no petrol and no electricity. This has been going on for nearly two months now as Kadhafi forces would not allow us to leave.
"Children are in a particularly bad condition," he said.
