Jubilant revolutionary forces have raised their tri-color flag over a convention center in Sirte that long served as a base for Muammer Gaddafi's loyalists, even as fighting rages elsewhere in the fugitive leader's hometown.

Col. Younis al-Abdally, a commander in Sirte, says his troops have surrounded pro-Gaddafi fighters in a small area in the upscale neighborhood of Dollar Street.

The statement comes after days of fierce battles, with tank, rocket and machine-gun fire echoing through the streets around the Ouagadougou Convention Center, an ornate complex that Gaddafi frequently used for international summits.

Libya's new rulers have said they expect Sirte to fall this week, but die-hard supporters of the longtime leader are putting up a fierce resistance.