Sirte falls - in pictures

Smoke billows from the Libyan town of Sirte as Libyan NTC fighters launch their final assault on loyalist troops on 19 October 2011. Muammar Gaddafi's remaining diehards have been pinned into a small section of the ousted strongman's hometown Sirte after a fierce battle which saw heavy casualties Photograph: Philippe Desmazes/AFP/Getty Images

NTC fighters fire at loyalist troops during a battle in Sirte's neighbourhood Number 2, one of the last two bastions of ousted leader Moamer Kadhafi's gunmen Photograph: Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP/Getty Images

An injured Libyan rebel fighter is carried by another fighter in downtown Sirte. Libyan revolutionary forces fought building by building against the final pocket of resistance Photograph: Manu Brabo/AP

NTC fighters gather around a makeshift armoured vehicle as they launch their final assault on loyalist troops in Sirte Photograph: Philippe Desmazes/AFP/Getty Images

A Libyan rebel fighter fires his machine gun toward loyalist positions in downtown Sirte Photograph: Manu Brabo/AP

Anti-Gaddafi fighters walk in an area where clashes with Gaddafi forces took place Photograph: Esam Omran Al-fetori/Reuters

A wounded Libyan rebel fighter is helped by other fighters Photograph: Manu Brabo/AP

An NTC fighter holds a rocket-propelled grenade during a battle with loyalist troops in Sirte Photograph: Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP/Getty Images

Anti-Gaddafi fighters carry an injured comrade during clashes in Sirte Photograph: Esam Omran Al-fetori/Reuters

An anti-Gaddafi fighter celebrates the fall of Sirte on 20 October. Libyan interim government fighters captured Muammar Gaddafi's home town extinguishing the last significant resistance by forces loyal to the deposed leader and ending a two-month siege Photograph: Esam Omran Al-Fetori/Reuters

Anti-Gaddafi fighters celebrate the fall of Sirte Photograph: Esam Omran Al-Fetori/Reuters

Anti-Gaddafi fighters hug as they celebrate the fall of Sirte Photograph: Esam Omran Al-Fetori/Reuters

A Gaddafi loyalist is taken prisoner by anti-Gaddafi fighters Photograph: Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters

National Transitional Council fighters celebrate in the streets of Tripoli Photograph: Marco Longari/AFP/Getty Images

Anti-Gaddafi fighters celebrate the fall of Sirte Photograph: Esam Omran Al-Fetori/Reuters

Libyans wave their new national flag as they celebrate in the streets of Tripoli Photograph: Mahmud Turkia/AFP/Getty Images

NTC fighters hold what they claim to be ousted leader Muammar Gaddafi's gold-plated gun Photograph: Philippe Desmazes/AFP/Getty Images

People celebrate in Martyrs Square Photograph: Ismail Zitouni/Reuters

Revolutionary fighters celebrate the capture of Sirte Photograph: Manu Brabo/AP