At least 34 fighters loyal to the Libyan government are feared killed and 180 wounded in fierce clashes.
Warning shots fired at the Bourbon Argos in international waters off the coast of Libya.
Sirte is the militant group's last bastion in the country, having been occupied since 2015.
Vote is a blow to the international community's efforts to purge Islamic State from country.
The mosque was reportedly being used by Isis members for preaching.
Pro-government forces have encircled the militants in a shrinking section of the centre of Daesh's former North African stronghold.
Revelation came after Libyan authorities seized documents during Sirte offensive in August.
Forces were involved in intermittent fighting with a few terrorists who were hiding at their base in Sirte.
Photos of the military campaigns to recapture major Isis strongholds in Syria, Libya and Iraq.
Retaking Sirte would hand Libya's UN-backed government a major boost in the fight against Isis.
US-made, precision grenade launcher was used by the SAS in hour-long firefight.
A military official confirmed 30 others wounded in the car bombing at Al-Gawarsha, western Benghazi.
Defence officials deny that it will be a 'shock and awe' operation.
Mum Mary Commanday calls GOP 'opportunistic and cynical' for using son's name is election campaign.
Since 2014, some 400,000 migrants have braved the dangerous crossing between Libya and southern Italy.
This comes after reports said a helicopter carrying French forces had been shot down on Sunday outside Benghazi.
Ban Ki-moon warns of Isis activities spreading in North African country.
After Cameron's pig-in-a-poke Brexit referendum, the ex-Tory leader is looking for new challenges.
Ahmed Gaddaf al-Dam, an aide to Muammar Gaddafi, has said as far as he is aware nothing has changed.
Captives were beaten and threatened with death unless they converted – then the sexual abuse would begin.
'Africa's Pinochet' was convicted of crimes against humanity, rape, sexual slavery and torture in May.
Anger, interest in extremist preachers and support for killing minorities among the giveaways.