EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL<br/> Loyalists of Muammar Gaddafi held off an advance into his home town of Sirte.<br/> National Transitional Council fighters seized the airport on the outskirts of the desert town.<br/> But there was no quick end to the siege in sight, which has dragged on for weeks.<br/> Sirte is one of the last bastions in Libya's desert, but whether Gaddafi himself is holed up there is not known.<br/> On the eastern side of Sirte, NTC forces fired long-range weapons.<br/> They were making slow progress towards the Gaddafi stronghold.<br/> Despite the frustration at trying to capture the remaining territory, the state's new leaders are getting on with business.<br/> They are seeking to impose order on various irregular armed forces and revive the oil-based economy.<br/> Their efforts received a lift on Friday when the UN Security Council eased sanctions.<br/> (SOUNDBITE) (English) PETER WITTIG, GERMAN AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS SAYING:<br/> "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."<br/> 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.<br/> Marie-Claire Fennessy, Reuters
