Libyan fighters battle for Kadhafi hometown

SIRTE: Forces of Libya's new leadership battled diehard remnants of the fallen regime of Moamer Kadhafi on Saturday, after the UN eased sanctions and assigned its seat at the world body to the former rebels.

National Transitional Council forces swept further into Kadhafi's hometown of Sirte as at least 6,000 fighters battled in and around one of the ousted despot's final strongholds.

Commander Salem Jeha, a member of Misrata Military Council said at the Gate 30 checkpoint west of Sirte: "We are now concentrated in a handful of buildings in the city and on the outskirts including Wadi Abu Hadi where Kadhafi's forces are concentrated."

He said NTC combatants seized Sirte airport late on Friday, and added that there was "no possibility for them (Kadhafi's forces) to continue their resistance."

Western nations that were at the forefront of the push for sanctions and help for the rebels hailed the "historic" double breakthrough at the UN for the NTC.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said in a statement it showed the international community's determination to support a "free future" for Libya.

The 15-member Security Council unanimously passed a resolution on Friday to ease an assets freeze and arms embargo against Libyan companies and the new government.

It maintained sanctions against Kadhafi and a no-fly zone which has been used to justify NATO air strikes against forces loyal to the fallen strongman. (AFP)