Street battles in Sirte - in pictures

Muammar Gaddafi's home town has been hit by the long-awaited 'final assault' by NTC forces Photograph: Peter Beaumont for the Guardian

Hundreds of anti-Gaddafi fighters have poured into the town from the east and west Photograph: Peter Beaumont for the Guardian

Heavy resistance from Gaddafi loyalists has prevented the NTC from taking Sirte Photograph: Peter Beaumont for the Guardian

Fierce fighting between the sides continued throughout the day Photograph: Peter Beaumont for the Guardian

Gaddafi forces with heavy calibre weapons traded fire on the streets with NTC snipers Photograph: Peter Beaumont for the Guardian

NTC fighters during a street battle Photograph: Peter Beaumont for the Guardian

NTC fighters inside the Ougadougou convention complex in Sirte. The pro-Gaddafi defenders of the city held the attacking government forces at bay for weeks in the vast compound Photograph: Peter Beaumont for the Guardian

NYC fighters liberating a golf cart inside the captured convention centre Photograph: Peter Beaumont for the Guardian

Two Libyan NTC fighters celebrate outside Sirte's massive convention centre which had been one of the main lines of defence FOR the city's pro-Gaddafi forces Photograph: Peter Beaumont for the Guardian