NTC forces under fire on way to Kadhafi hometown

WADI BEY: A convoy of forces loyal to Libya's new rulers came under heavy fire on Thursday as they advanced on Sirte, the hometown of ousted strongman Moamer Kadhafi, an AFP correspondent said.

Fighting erupted after the heavily armed convoy neared houses after driving into the desert town of Wadi Bey, some 130 kilometres (80 miles) southwest of Sirte, the correspondent reported.

"There is a group of young people who want to resist -- we gave them two hours to throw down their weapons but they refused," said Colonel Bashir Ali, a field commander.

"We talked with them today and told them to send out the women and children but forsure there are still families here -- I hope no one gets hurt."

The convoy had set out from Misrata early Thursday before splitting at the crossroads town of Abu Qurin, where a commander said they would approach Sirte from three directions in a pincer movement.

In a statement, the Misrata Military Council said that the convoy comprised of more than 900 armoured cars aimed at "freeing (Sirte) and raising the banner of independence."

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011