#Libya: Anti-Gaddafi Forces Ready To Fight In #Gaddafi 's Home Town Of #Sirte | Sky Newsnews.sky.com/home/world-new… #BattleForSirte #Feb17
Sirte is considered Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's last stronghold after rebels smashed his forces in Tripoli and seized his Bab al Aziziya compound.
It comes as the chairman of Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC), Mustafa Abdel Jalil, said Col Gaddafi is still a threat to the country and the world.
He added: "I call for continued protection from Nato and its allies from this tyrant."
Although Col Gaddafi's whereabouts are unknown, there is widespread speculation among rebels that he is holed up in Sirte, 220 miles (360km) east of Tripoli.
Sky's security editor Sam KileyIf the battle for Sirte comes down to street-to-street fighting, it is possible that the local population will take up arms themselves.
Over the weekend, anti-Gaddafi fighters captured Bin Jawad, 100 miles (150km) to the east of Sirte, before they pushed on to the town of Nawfaliyah, 50 miles (75km) away.
The rebels have now pushed Gaddafi forces back to Wadi al Ahmar, less than 40 miles (65km) from the town, despite being fired on by Grad rockets.
Rebel commander Mohammed al Fortiya, in Misratah, said: "We are negotiating with the tribes for Sirte's peaceful surrender."
But a spokesman for the NTC, Mahmud Shammam, warned that talks for Sirte's peaceful handover would not be open-ended.
"The negotiations will not go on for ever. The talks are still going on... We would like to unify Libya very quickly."
