A Libyan commander said revolutionary forces have completely surrounded Muammar Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte and are engaged in heavy fighting on the city's streets.

Mustafa al-Rubai said fighters from eastern Libya seized control of Sirte's first residential district and a hotel where Gaddafi's snipers were based.

Mr Al-Rubai said that even though the fighters have surrounded Sirte from all sides, a path out has been left for civilians who still want to leave the coastal city.

Libyan fighters say that after weeks of fighting Gaddafi's loyalists inside Sirte, they now hold positions about 3 miles from the city centre.

The Libyan defence ministry has said the fighters also seized the Sirte port, military base and airport last week.

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