Azerbaijan , Baku, Sept. 27 / Trend A. Isgandarov/
The Libyan National Transitional Council's forces have reached outskirts of the Sirte port, Al Arabiya reported citing AFP.
Libyan provisional government forces have closed in on Muammar Gaddafi loyalists holed up in Sirte, one of the last two bastions of the deposed leader.
The advance on Monday from the east to about 2 km (1.2 miles) from the center of Gaddafi's home town raised hopes that the National Transitional Council (NTC) was one step closer to claiming full control of the fractured country.
NATO aircraft launched air strikes against positions of Gaddafi loyalists in Sirte, paving the way for the deep push by the NTC fighters, according to Reuters.
Taking Sirte would be a huge boost for the NTC, which is trying to establish credibility as a government able to unite Libya's fractious tribes and regions, and a blow for Gaddafi, widely believed to be in hiding somewhere in Libya.
On August 23, 2011, Gaddafi lost control of Tripoli, and effective control of Libya with the rebels' capture of the Bab al-Azizia compound.
NTC forces now control most of Libyan territory, including the capital Tripoli. They have been trying to take several cities controlled by pro-Gaddafi troops, including Bani Walid and Sirte.