SIRTE, Libya, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- Libyan interim government forces regained control of the airport in Sirte, one of the few strongholds of forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi.
The BBC reported Thursday that National Transitional Council fighters were tearing down symbols of the Gadhafi regime in the airport in Sirte, the ousted leader's birthplace.
NTC forces had taken control of the airport about 3 miles from the city center two weeks ago but were driven back by Gadhafi loyalists.
NTC forces, however, continued to face fire from rockets and guns, the BBC said.
NTC fighters coming from the west and east plan to attack Gadhafi loyalists in hopes of pushing them toward the sea and reducing their presence to smaller areas of the city, while NATO planes struck targets including ammunition-storage facilities.
The NTC forces also had recently seized Sirte's port.
Heavy fighting has taken place in recent days in Sirte and the other remaining stronghold of Gadhafi loyalists, Bani Walid.
NTC officials said they believe Gadhafi is hiding in the southern desert of Libya.
Meanwhile, the fugitive leader's spokesman, Moussa Ibrahim, has been arrested by NTC fighters near Sirte, Freedom TV, Misurata, reported.
