NATO bombing raids hammered the Libyan city of Sirte yesterday to clear the way for fighters with the Libyan interim government who are trying to capture Muammar Gaddafi’s hometown.

Algeria has said it is ready to recognise Libya's former rebels when they form a broad-based government, and insists it has not offered an escape route to Muammar Gaddafi.

REIGNING champion Hiroshi Masuoka won yesterday’s fifth stage of the Dakar Rally in Tunisia to snatch the overall lead of the event from Stephane Peterhansel.