Forces loyal to Libya's UN-recognised unity government said they launched an offensive Saturday for slain dictator Moamer Kadhafi's central hometown Sirte, buoyed by a succession of victories in the west. Government of National Accord forces have repulsed a 14-month offensive against the capital Tripoli by eastern-based strongman Khalifa Haftar and are now poised to drive on eastwards. "The air force has carried out five strikes in the outskirts of Sirte" -- the last major town before the traditional boundary between Libya's western Tripolitania and eastern Cyrenaica regions -- GNA spokesman Mohamad Gnounou said. nd-rb/tp/kir/hc