Libya Fighters Seize Police HQ in Sirte

Libya's new regime fighters Tuesday seized the police headquarters in the center of Moammar Gadhafi's hometown Sirte after the toppled leader's diehards deserted it, an Agence France Presse reporter said.

The National Transitional Council combatants celebrated the takeover of the strategic security building by honking the horns of their vehicles and firing into the air.

They then proceeded to ransack the center and destroy posters of the fugitive Gadhafi they found inside.

In contrast to Monday when NTC forces were pounded with rockets and gunfire as they battled Gadhafi loyalists street by street in the Mediterranean city, they met no resistance at all on Tuesday as they edged into the city center.

An advance force of about 30 fighters checked each house as they moved forward from the city's east early Tuesday, kicking in doors and giving each other cover from possible snipers hidden on rooftops, the reporter said.

Clothing abandoned by soldiers and remains of meals were found in some of the buildings.

The fighters became more cautious once they reached the city center, sticking to its edges for fear that snipers were lying in wait inside and on top of the many tall buildings.

They then converged on the police headquarters, expecting a battle but found it deserted.

On Monday NTC troops captured Sirte's showpiece conference center, university campus and hospital, AFP correspondents said.

The NTC fighters had besieged Sirte from September 15 before on Friday launching what they termed a "final assault" that has seen at least 70 of their fighters killed and hundreds wounded, according to medics.