The prime minister of Libya's U.N.-backed government says "total victory" against the Islamic State group in its main stronghold is near, as forces close in on the coastal city of Sirte.

Fayez al-Serraj tells France's the Journal du dimanche newspaper in comments published Sunday that his government needs international intelligence and technical assistance, but "not airstrikes."

The comments came a day after a spokesman for forces allied with his government said they captured a military base about 30 kilometers (20 miles) southwest of Sirte.

The spokesman, Brig. Gen. Mohammed al-Gosry, says "we are officially in Sirte and only days away from controlling the center of the city."