Libyan forces battle to take control of Gaddafi towns

Anti-Gaddafi forces were pushed out of Sirte on Saturday after launching a fresh assault on one of the last remaining loyalist strongholds. The Dubai-based broadcaster Al-Arabiya reported that Gaddafi's supporters managed to stop the advance into the deposed leader's hometown and that there was no sign of a rapid end to a siege that has been dragging on for weeks. Libyan forces battle to take control of Gaddafi towns Muammar Gaddafi Spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said on Saturday the resistance would continue for "months and months." Gaddafi’s followers also carried out a counter-attack in Bani Walid, firing rockets and mortars, according to the Dubai-based broadcaster. NATO on Saturday said it would look into allegations that its airstrikes killed hundreds of civilians in Sirte. The fugitive leader’s spokesman claimed over 350 people were killed in a NATO bombing. The Western military alliance said that such claims were often made and proven to be unfounded. A Libyan rebel (Beta/AP, file) UN eases sanctions Meanwhile, the UN Security Council on Friday voted unanimously for a resolution that will both ease sanctions on Libya, slapped against the deposed leader six months ago, and recognize the National Transitional Council as the sole representative of the Libyan people at the UN in New York. The resolution begins lifting punitive measures imposed on the oil-exporting country when Gaddafi was overseeing a crackdown against pro-democracy demonstrators; it will "ensure that assets frozen pursuant to (UN sanctions resolutions) shall as soon as possible be made available to and for the benefit of the people of Libya." All sanctions against the Libyan National Oil Corp and Zueitina Oil Co are to be lifted as part of what British Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant said was an effort to "help kick-start Libya's economy and encourage economic self-sufficiency." The resolution also establishes a UN mission made up of some 200 people in Libya to help the North African nation get back on its feet. An initial three-month phase of the mission is to help the government with a post-conflict transition. Their tasks are expected to include police training and electoral assistance, but will not include deployment of peacekeepers or police, according to UN sources. Gaddafi still in Libya, confident of victory Pro-Gaddafi forces have held back the rebels in Sirte. Meanwhile, Gaddafi's whereabouts still remain a mystery. Gaddafi's spokesman told the Reuters news agency on Saturday that the fugitive leader was personally directing the loyalist fighters holding back transitional forces in Sirte and Bani Walid. "He is leading all aspects of this struggle. He is talking to the people, he is lecturing, he is discussing, he is looking after all matters of the resistance," Ibrahim said, adding that Gaddafi was still in Libya and confident of victory.

Libyan forces battle to take control of Gaddafi towns

Muammar Gaddafi Spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said on Saturday the resistance would continue for "months and months."

Gaddafi’s followers also carried out a counter-attack in Bani Walid, firing rockets and mortars, according to the Dubai-based broadcaster.

NATO on Saturday said it would look into allegations that its airstrikes killed hundreds of civilians in Sirte. The fugitive leader’s spokesman claimed over 350 people were killed in a NATO bombing.

The Western military alliance said that such claims were often made and proven to be unfounded.

UN eases sanctions

Meanwhile, the UN Security Council on Friday voted unanimously for a resolution that will both ease sanctions on Libya, slapped against the deposed leader six months ago, and recognize the National Transitional Council as the sole representative of the Libyan people at the UN in New York.

The resolution begins lifting punitive measures imposed on the oil-exporting country when Gaddafi was overseeing a crackdown against pro-democracy demonstrators; it will "ensure that assets frozen pursuant to (UN sanctions resolutions) shall as soon as possible be made available to and for the benefit of the people of Libya."

All sanctions against the Libyan National Oil Corp and Zueitina Oil Co are to be lifted as part of what British Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant said was an effort to "help kick-start Libya's economy and encourage economic self-sufficiency."

The resolution also establishes a UN mission made up of some 200 people in Libya to help the North African nation get back on its feet.

An initial three-month phase of the mission is to help the government with a post-conflict transition. Their tasks are expected to include police training and electoral assistance, but will not include deployment of peacekeepers or police, according to UN sources.

Gaddafi still in Libya, confident of victory

Pro-Gaddafi forces have held back the rebels in Sirte. Meanwhile, Gaddafi's whereabouts still remain a mystery.

Gaddafi's spokesman told the Reuters news agency on Saturday that the fugitive leader was personally directing the loyalist fighters holding back transitional forces in Sirte and Bani Walid.

"He is leading all aspects of this struggle. He is talking to the people, he is lecturing, he is discussing, he is looking after all matters of the resistance," Ibrahim said, adding that Gaddafi was still in Libya and confident of victory.