Magharebia

Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC) troops regrouped Friday (October 14th) for a fresh push to capture Moamer Kadhafi's hometown of Sirte, AFP reported. The NTC forces were forced to retreat two kilometres on Thursday after encountering heavy resistance by loyalists in the Dollar and Number Two residential neighbourhoods of northwest Sirte.

"Around 800 to 1,000 people are still in the area," NTC field commander Beloun al-Shaari of the Martyrs of the Mountains Brigade told AFP. "Many of them are civilians, which is making it a bit difficult for us to launch a big attack."

Sirte is a key goal for Libya's new leaders, who have said they would not proclaim the country's liberation and begin preparing for the transition to an elected government until the city has fallen.