Libyan Revolutionaries aim for full control of Sirte

Libya’s revolutionary forces aimed to take full control of dictator Kadhafi’s hometown Sirte on Monday after seizing key targets in the face of fierce resistance from his diehards.

On the third day of final assault, the revolutionay fighters captured the Mediterranean city’s showpiece conference centre, university campus and hospital, AFP correspondents said.

The gains are seen as crucial by the NTC, which awaits Sirte’s full capture to declare the liberation of the whole of Libya, clearing the way to draw up a timetable for elections.

The council has ruled most of the oil-rich country since its forces overran Tripoli on August 23, forcing dictator Kadhafi and his inner circle to flee.

On another front the revolutionary fighters took control on Sunday of the airport of Bani Walid, an oasis 170 kilometres (105 miles) southeast of Tripoli.

Libyan revolutionary forces have been stationed for weeks outside Bani Walid.

Meanwhile a military official in Tripoli said monday seventeen revolutionary fighters were killed and 50 wounded in clashes with loyalists of dictator Muammer Gaddafi in the desert town of Bani Walid.

“We lost 17 fighters in fierce clashes on Sunday and our forces have withdrawn from the airport where they had taken control,” said Salem Gheith, head of the National Transitional Council (NTC) military command centre.