Government forces kept up their bombardment of a small area in the centre of Sirte on Sunday (October 16), trying to smash the remaining pockets of pro-Gaddafi resistance.<br/> NTC militia have besieged Sirte for weeks, only slowly tightening their grip to the point where now Gaddafi die-hards are surrounded in an area of about two sq km (a sq mile). Green flags, the banner of Gaddafi's rule, still fly over the area.<br/> Government fighters have said the pocket of resistance was very small but they were being held back by snipers.<br/> The often chaotic struggle has cost scores of lives and left thousands homeless.<br/> The failure to seize the final Gaddafi bastions swiftly has also held up attempts by Libya's new leaders to try to build a democratic government, a process they say will begin only after Sirte is captured.<br/> NTC officers say Gaddafi loyalists fear reprisals if they surrender -- some captured fighters have been abused.
