LIBYA: Troops fighting for Libya's provisional government bombard the pro-Gaddafi bastion of Bani Walid and cheer NATO air strikes on the desert town

Record ID: 560188

  • Title: LIBYA: Troops fighting for Libya's provisional government bombard the pro-Gaddafi bastion of Bani Walid and cheer NATO air strikes on the desert town
  • Date: 27th September 2011
  • Summary: SLATE INFORMATION
  • Embargoed: 12th October 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Libya
  • Country: Libya
  • Topics: Conflict
  • Reuters ID: LVAA5DS1HW8KYTJS464BGGPTKKGX
  • Story Text: The forces of Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) intensified their bombardment of Bani Walid on Monday (September 26), a bastion of armed support for ousted leader Muammar Gaddafi.
    More than a month after seizing control of Tripoli, Libyan fighters have mobilised heavy weapons, including tanks, rockets and mortars, to increase the pressure on the desert town's pro-Gaddafi defenders.
    Smoke rose from a series of explosions in Bani Walid, with fighters saying the biggest plume came from a NATO air strike.
    The western alliance has maintained its operations over Libya and an aircraft could be heard overhead at the time of the blast.
    Between assaults the forces of the provisional government took shelter behind walls as a dust storm swept the region.
    Groups of Libyan forces have entered Bani Walid in recent weeks but have encountered stiff resistance, which they say is a sign senior former members of Gaddafi's regime remain in the town.
    Commanders on Bani Walid's northern front say, with the help of the heavy weaponry, they will be ready for a coordinated ground assault within days.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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