As the battle for Libyan leader Muammer Qaddafi's hometown, Sirte rages on, a hospital in the vicinity said on Saturday that it continues to receive casualties.
Aid volunteers from the International Committee of the Red Cross have brought in medical supplies to deal with the overwhelming situation, which they fear could soon turn into a humanitarian crisis.
Consequentially, Libya's interim government, the National Transitional Council, called on Friday for a 2-day ceasefire to allow civilians to vacate Sirte. However, there were reports of ongoing fighting on Saturday.
The NTC tried to provide safe entry for the workers but the shelling persisted. Leaders of the interim council said snipers were hindering their progress.
Meanwhile, NTC fighters said they had captured seven men who they believed to be pro-Qaddafi forces. Those who had surrendered were from Libya and Chad and were given medical treatment before being sent to prison.
For the past two weeks, Sirte, with a population of 100,000, has been the target of NATO air strikes which have been assisted by on ground fighting by NTC troops trying to rid the town of Qaddafi loyalists.
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