Nato targets Muammer Gaddafi’s hometown

The military alliance said its aircraft had targeted 29 vehicles mounted with weapons near the city, which lies on the Mediterranean coast some 400km east of Tripoli. British jets also hit a large bunker in Sirte with a salvo of air-to-surface missiles. Liam Fox, UK defence secretary, said Nato would continue to strike at pro-Gaddafi forces to destroy any remaining military capability. Negotiations between the rebels and local leaders in Sirte have been taking place in recent days to facilitate the handover of the city without bloodshed. The Nato air strikes appear aimed at smoothing the way for the insurgent forces if the talks fail. On the other hand, loyalist forces fighting to prevent an advance of rebels who have over-run most of the country in recent days.