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(AP) - Libya's pro-government forces fighting to dislodge the Islamic State group from its key bastion of Sirte seized the city port on Friday, as a Libyan spokesman said the group's leaders have fled the city to the open desert south of Sirte.
Ahmed Hadiya told The Associated Press on Friday that the offensive to capture the Mediterranean city is nearing its "final stage" and that IS fighters have hunkered down inside a sprawling convention center for the final showdown.
The fighting, which started a month ago, is led by militias from the western city of Misrata, west of Sirte.
The fighters advanced from the western and southern fronts and are currently besieging the militants from all directions, including the eastern front, after taking over the port located to the east of the city center.
The UN-backed Libyan government say at least 130 people have been killed and 400 injured in the battle for Sirte.
Sirte was the only major IS-held city outside Syria and Iraq.
IS has exploited Libya's turmoil to gain a foothold in the North African country.
Ahmed Hadiya told The Associated Press on Friday that the offensive to capture the Mediterranean city is nearing its "final stage" and that IS fighters have hunkered down inside a sprawling convention center for the final showdown.
The fighting, which started a month ago, is led by militias from the western city of Misrata, west of Sirte.
The fighters advanced from the western and southern fronts and are currently besieging the militants from all directions, including the eastern front, after taking over the port located to the east of the city center.
The UN-backed Libyan government say at least 130 people have been killed and 400 injured in the battle for Sirte.
Sirte was the only major IS-held city outside Syria and Iraq.
IS has exploited Libya's turmoil to gain a foothold in the North African country.
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