Tripoli, Libya - At least 30 people have died since the start of the battle by fighters of Libya's  National Transitional Council (NTC) to take over Sirte from loyalists of erstwhile leader Mouammar Kadhafi, according to NTC military commander Seddigh Mohamed.

Mohamed said NTC fighters were facing a tough resistance in the battle, hence were forced to use heavy artillery.

On Tuesday, NTC fighters engaged in street-to-street fighting with the loyalists forces in Sirte, located some 450 km east of Tripoli.

Over 10 fighters of the NTC forces were killed in the fighting.

Sources from the NTC said NATO had conducted a series of air raids against the loyalist forces, apparently to soften the ground for the NTC fighters.

Fighting also continues in Beni Walid, some 180 km southeast of Tripoli, where NTC forces were forced to retreat under heavy firepower by the loyalists Tuesday, according to NTC negotiator Abdallah Kenchil.

On the political front, the announcement of Libya's transitional government has been postponed until the total liberation of the country.

Pana 28/09/2011