Civilians forced out of Gaddafi hometown as clashes intensify

CIVILIANS pouring out of Muammar Gaddafi’s hometown Sirte said the horror of the battle for the city finally forced them to conquer their fear of the besieging new regime forces and leave.

The exodus comes as a commander of National Transitional Council (NTC) forces besieging the other loyalist bastion of Bani Walid said Gaddafi’s son Seif al-Islam was directing the last stand.

Vehicles crammed with families and piled high with possessions queued at the succession of checkpoints on the coastal highway out of Sirte to have their identities and belongings checked.