NTC battles Sirte resistance

Government forces kept up their bombardment of a small area in the centre of Sirte on Sunday (October 16), trying to smash the remaining pockets of pro-Gaddafi resistance.
NTC militia have besieged Sirte for weeks, only slowly tightening their grip to the point where now Gaddafi die-hards are surrounded in an area of about two sq km (a sq mile). Green flags, the banner of Gaddafi's rule, still fly over the area.
Government fighters have said the pocket of resistance was very small but they were being held back by snipers.
The often chaotic struggle has cost scores of lives and left thousands homeless.
The failure to seize the final Gaddafi bastions swiftly has also held up attempts by Libya's new leaders to try to build a democratic government, a process they say will begin only after Sirte is captured.
NTC officers say Gaddafi loyalists fear reprisals if they surrender -- some captured fighters have been abused.