LIBYA: Columns of pro-interim government fighters head towards Bani Walid to reinforce the front line
Record ID:
560006
LIBYA: Columns of pro-interim government fighters head towards Bani Walid to reinforce the front line
- Title: LIBYA: Columns of pro-interim government fighters head towards Bani Walid to reinforce the front line
- Date: 11th September 2011
- Summary: WEST OF BANI WALID, LIBYA (SEPTEMBER 10, 2011) (REUTERS) NATIONAL TRANSITIONAL COUNCIL (NTC) FIGHTERS CONVOY PARKED NEAR CHECKPOINT ON DESERT ROAD FIGHTERS IN VEHICLE WITH ANTI-AIRCRAFT WEAPON VARIOUS OF FIGHTERS CONVOY DRIVING WEST TOWARDS BANI WALID WITH FIGHTER FIRING IN THE AIR AND OTHERS CHANTING 'GOD IS GREATEST' WIDE OF DESERT ROAD WITH SHOTS BEING FIRED IN THE AIR FIGHTERS AT CHECKPOINT CHANTING 'GOD IS GREATEST' CONVOY CARRYING NTC LOGISTICS AND JOURNALISTS DRIVING TOWARDS BANI WALID CHECKPOINT MORE OF VEHICLES LEAVING FOR BANI WALID
- Embargoed: 26th September 2011 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Libya
- Country: Libya
- Topics: Conflict,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVAAHY599XQ8URABQCWO22TJ72DI
- Story Text: More than 50 vehicles carrying Libyan fighters left for the desert town of Bani Walid on Saturday (September 10) as battles for one of Muammar Gaddafi's last strongholds continued.
Pro-interim government battled for control of Bani Walid and Gaddafi loyalists hit back with rockets. Despite the bombardment, columns of vehicles drove toward the front line, with fighters in pick-up trucks shaking their fists in the air and shouting: "Here come the Libyans".
Another convoy which left the checkpoint for Bani Walid carried NTC logistical peoples and journalists.
Heavy fighting erupted around Bani Walid and the coastal city of Sirte, Gaddafi's birthplace, on Friday (September 9), a day ahead of a deadline for a negotiated surrender set by the NTC.
NTC officials said the truce was effectively over, paving the way for what could prove the final battles of a civil war that evolved from February's popular uprising against Gaddafi.
Now that his 42-year rule has ended, diplomats said Britain plans to submit a draft resolution to the U.N. Security Council early next week to start easing sanctions against Libya and establish a modest U.N. mission in the country.
But NTC forces which finally overran the Libyan capital on Aug. 23, must still capture Bani Walid, Sirte and the Gaddafi-held town of Sabha in the far south, as well as find the deposed leader, before they can declare Libya liberated and set the clock ticking for elections and a new constitution.
An NTC fighter said after overnight skirmishes that the Gaddafi loyalists were resisting very hard. Two Gaddafi soldiers and one NTC fighter were killed in Friday's battles, an NTC doctor said, while 11 NTC fighters were wounded and another was hurt by a rocket on Saturday. Four or five civilians died in overnight fighting, the NTC fighter added.
Anti-Gaddafi forces outside Bani Walid believe some of Gaddafi's sons, and possibly even the fallen leader himself, are holed up in the town. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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