The casualties of Sirte<br/> National Transitional Council forces take heavy losses in the battle for Muammar Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte.<br/> At least seven government fighters were killed and 20 wounded in heavy clashes on the eastern outskirts of Sirte.<br/> The interim ruling council promised a "final" offensive after weeks of slow progress. It haws now begun.<br/> Libyan fighters have their sights on taking control of the town.<br/> SOUNDBITE: Unidentified fighter, saying: (Arabic):<br/> "We are now witnessing a preparation by the revolutionaries to move forward in this area, then when the revolutionaries re-position themselves, we will sweep this area completely."<br/> Taking control of Sirte would be a major step for Libya's new rulers in their effort to establish control of the whole country almost two months after they seized the capital Tripoli.<br/> Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters
