Libyan civilians fleeing Gadhafi’s hometown describe state of siege, deteriorating conditions

( no / Associated Press ) - Revolutionary fighters celebrate the capture of a tank from pro-Gadhafi resistance forces in Sirte, Libya, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011 . Revolutionary fighters have not been able to take over central positions in Sirte. Pro-Gadhafi forces have the advantage of knowing the city and are heavily armed, making it impossible for the former rebels to stand in at night after advancing during the day. The sheepskins served as camouflage.

By Associated Press, Published: September 20

SIRTE, Libya — Families in pickup trucks stacked with mattresses and jugs of water fled Moammar Gadhafi’s hometown of Sirte Tuesday ahead of an expected new push by revolutionary forces to seize the city, as the anti-Gadhafi forces claimed progress in the battle for a city in the remote southern desert.

A commander of new government’s forces said late Tuesday they were in control of most of the Gadhafi desert stronghold of Sabha after a day of fighting. The commander, Bashir Ahwaz, said most of the tribesmen loyal to Gadhafi fled the city instead of putting up a fight, but three of his men and 19 pro-Gadhafi tribesmen were killed.

Comments

He said it would take another week for his forces to take control of all of Libya’s southern desert and its borders with Algeria and Niger. Several groups of officials from Gadhafi’s regime, as well as one of the outsted dictator’s sons, have fled to Niger.

Earlier, residents fleeing Sirte said they had been living under a state of siege with Gadhafi’s forces preventing them from leaving, while living conditions deteriorated and the city came under constant rocket fire and NATO bombardment.

“I tried to leave earlier with my family, but Gadhafi’s forces wouldn’t let me,” said Abdullah Mohammed, a 34-year-old computer engineer traveling with his wife, two daughters and son. “We managed to run away at dawn by taking back roads out of the city.”

Youssef Ramadan, 35, said there has been no power since Aug. 20, a day before revolutionary forces swept into the capital Tripoli and forced Gadhafi into hiding.

“There’s no fuel and food is running low,” he said. “A lot of civilians are stuck in their houses because of the fighting.” Ramadan, who was taking his wife, 2-year-old daughter, 7-year-old son, brother and mother out of the city of about 100,000 people, said regime forces were using houses, schools and hospitals to store ammunition.

Tripoli fell to Gadhafi opponents in late August after a six-month civil war with NATO airstrikes aiding the rebels — marking the collapse of Gadhafi’s nearly 42-year rule.

Gadhafi ridiculed the claims from his hiding place.

“What is happening in Libya is a charade gaining its legitimacy through airstrikes that will not last forever,” he said in the statement broadcast on the Syrian-based Al-Rai TV, which has become his mouthpiece. “It’s hard to bring down this regime because it represents millions of Libyans.”

The transitional Libyan government has insisted it will press forward with efforts to rebuild the government despite the continued fighting. But Gadhafi’s continued defiance has raised fears the country could face a protracted insurgency such as those in Iraq and Afghanistan.

President Barack Obama warned dark days lie ahead for the Libyan people as they try to reshape their country, promising the world will stand with them and announcing that the U.S. ambassador was heading back to Tripoli to lead a reopened American embassy there.

“After decades of iron rule by one man, it will take time to build the institutions needed for a democratic Libya. I’m sure there will be days of frustration,” the president said at a high level United Nations meeting.