Libyans claim gains in Gaddafi hometown offensive

Libyan revolutionary forces claimed to have captured parts of a sprawling convention center that loyalists of Muammar Gaddafi have used as their main base in the ousted leader's hometown and were shelling the city to try to rout snipers from rooftops in their offensive aimed at crushing this key bastion of the old regime.

The inability to take Sirte, the most important remaining stronghold of Gaddafi supporters, more than six weeks after the capital fell has stalled efforts by Libya's new leaders to set a timeline for elections and move forward with a transition to democracy. (AP)