Gaddafi loyalists hold out
- 13 years ago
EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL
Loyalists of Muammar Gaddafi held off an advance into his home town of Sirte.
National Transitional Council fighters seized the airport on the outskirts of the desert town.
But there was no quick end to the siege in sight, which has dragged on for weeks.
Sirte is one of the last bastions in Libya's desert, but whether Gaddafi himself is holed up there is not known.
On the eastern side of Sirte, NTC forces fired long-range weapons.
They were making slow progress towards the Gaddafi stronghold.
Despite the frustration at trying to capture the remaining territory, the state's new leaders are getting on with business.
They are seeking to impose order on various irregular armed forces and revive the oil-based economy.
Their efforts received a lift on Friday when the UN Security Council eased sanctions.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PETER WITTIG, GERMAN AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS SAYING:
"This resolution also marks an important step for Libya's economic recovery. By lifting and modifying the asset freeze the local economy and trade will be kickstarted. However, this is a first step only. It is clear that eventually all economic sanctions will be lifted for the entities under the control of the Libyan authorities."
To help the North African nation get back onto its feet the 15-nation council voted unanimously for a resolution that also establishes a U.N. mission in Libya.
Marie-Claire Fennessy, Reuters
Loyalists of Muammar Gaddafi held off an advance into his home town of Sirte.
National Transitional Council fighters seized the airport on the outskirts of the desert town.
But there was no quick end to the siege in sight, which has dragged on for weeks.
Sirte is one of the last bastions in Libya's desert, but whether Gaddafi himself is holed up there is not known.
On the eastern side of Sirte, NTC forces fired long-range weapons.
They were making slow progress towards the Gaddafi stronghold.
Despite the frustration at trying to capture the remaining territory, the state's new leaders are getting on with business.
They are seeking to impose order on various irregular armed forces and revive the oil-based economy.
Their efforts received a lift on Friday when the UN Security Council eased sanctions.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PETER WITTIG, GERMAN AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS SAYING:
"This resolution also marks an important step for Libya's economic recovery. By lifting and modifying the asset freeze the local economy and trade will be kickstarted. However, this is a first step only. It is clear that eventually all economic sanctions will be lifted for the entities under the control of the Libyan authorities."
To help the North African nation get back onto its feet the 15-nation council voted unanimously for a resolution that also establishes a U.N. mission in Libya.
Marie-Claire Fennessy, Reuters