Libyan fighting in Sirte leading to humanitarian crisis, say aid agencies

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Source: The Guardian

Aid workers have made it into Muammar Gaddafi's besieged hometown of Sirte amid fears that a humanitarian crisis could unfold amid continued heavy fighting between revolutionary forces and fighters loyal to the ousted dictator.

The arrival of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Saturday came as hundreds of people continued to stream out of Sirte and forces allied to the interim government intensified their shelling of the coastal city.

Fighters from eastern Libya have seized control of Sirte's first residential district and a hotel where pro-Gaddafi snipers were based, according to a rebel commander.

"There is heavy fighting going on in the streets of Sirte right now," said Mustafa al-Rubaie. "The enemy is besieged from the south, east and west, but it's still in possession of highly sophisticated weapons and a large amount of ammunition."

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/oct/01/libyan-rebels-battle-gaddafi-sirte