Libya's interim government forces have captured the district of Bouhadi in Muammar Gadafy's hometown of Sirte today, according to reports.
Government forces fought with fighters loyal to Col Gadafy to enter the district, which is in the south of the city, and were still clearing isolated pockets of resistance.
Government commanders said yesterday they believed that one of Col Gadafy's sons was hiding in the district.
A Red Cross convoy trying to take medical supplies into the besieged city had to turn back after forces seeking to capture the city opened fire on the town.
Aid agencies say the town is suffering a humanitarian crisis because civilians are trapped inside by the fighting while food, water, fuel and medical supplies are running out.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) assembled a convoy of two trucks carrying aid, and accompanied by two four-wheel drive vehicles.
The convoy set off from a bridge a few kilometres west of Sirte, but came to a halt after travelling only about 100 metres because interim government forces started firing into the city.
They fired a heavy barrage of mortars, artillery, rocket-propelled grenades and anti-aircraft weapons just as the convoy was starting to move. The ICRC convoy turned and headed west, away from the town.
Speaking just before the aborted attempt to get supplies into the city, an ICRC official said the humanitarian situation there was dire.
"We're trying to provide medical assistance and oxygen to the hospital in Sirte," said Hishem Khadrawy. "We are really concerned about the medical situation because of the conflict."
Reuters