With their backs to the sea, Gaddafi forces battle to cling on to that bit of Sirte yet to fall

If THE Libyan fighters who advanced deep into Sirte yesterday had hoped to be greeted as liberating heroes, they were disappointed. All the residents had fled, leaving behind prized mementoes of their kinsman Muammar Gaddafi.

Forces with Libya’s new rulers, the National Transitional Council (NTC), captured the Sirte district of Bouhadi, a stronghold of Gaddafi’s tribe where many residents reject the revolution that overthrew his 42-year-rule.

“This is where the dog Gaddafi was born,” shouted rebels in excitement as they swept into the district. Green bunting lay strewn on the ground, as fighters shot bullets into anything bearing the dictator’s visage.

Fighters crashed through doors of empty civilian homes in furious house to house searches. “They were hiding weapons in the houses,” said Bashir Ali al-Jerushi, carrying out crates filled with rocket-propelled grenades.

Capturing Bouhadi leaves forces loyal to Gaddafi with their backs to the sea, concentrated in the marina strip close to the city centre.

Interim government fighters that had attacked from opposite sides of Sirte joined forces yesterday, surrounding and pounding the city centre with heavy weaponry. Rockets screamed towards the centre, and the air filled with the constant rattle of machine gun fire as armed pick-up trucks advanced.

“There are high towers full of Gaddafi snipers and loyalists fighting around them,” said fighter Khaled Tanashi, of the Misrata Stallion brigade.

The renewed fighting came as the ceasefire called by NTC chairman Mustafa Abdel Jalil came to an end. Rebel fighters said they had held their fire to allow families to flee the city.

Those moving out said dozens remained trapped, unable to flee due to fuel shortages. “Our home was hit by tank fire this morning. Many families just cannot escape,” said escaping father Salem Ali.

Balul Hanoun, of the Tripoli Brigade, said: “This is the battle for Sirte – there is no going back.”