NTC fighters were also facing “a lot of resistance” in Sirte on the Mediterranean coast, operations command spokesperson Ahmed al-Zlitni told the AFP news agency.

They advanced from the west into the city on Saturday but were forced to retreat after two hours under heavy artillery fire.

Doctors at field hospitals reported at least 10 killed and 40 wounded.

Bangkok-based French freelance journalist Olivier Sarbil was seriously wounded by shrapnel in Sirte on Saturday.

A planned announced of a new NTC government was delayed Sunday with officials blaming last-minute haggling.

Longstanding opposition groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood accused interim prime minister Mahmud Jibril of failing to consult them properly, according to officials.

Nato jets hit 11 targets around Sirte, 11 in the Al-Jufra oasis and three in Sabah in the south on Saturday.

Source:RFI