LIBYA: Rebel forces advance on Bani Walid, where Muammar Gaddafi is suspected to be hiding out

Record ID: 560859

  • Title: LIBYA: Rebel forces advance on Bani Walid, where Muammar Gaddafi is suspected to be hiding out
  • Date: 5th September 2011
  • Summary: 40 KM FROM CENTRE OF BANI WALID, LIBYA (SEPTEMBER 4, 2011) (REUTERS) ANTI-GADDAFI FORCES' CHECKPOINT/SIGN READING (WELCOME TO BANI WALID) CLOSE OF SIGN VARIOUS OF ANTI-GADDAFI FORCES AT CHECKPOINT (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MAHMOUD ABDEL AZIZ, NTC SPOKESMAN, SAYING: "We are now around 15 to 20 km from the residential area of Bani Walid … and rebel forces (NTC) are 10 km from the centre; that's at the most." VARIOUS OF ANTI-GADDAFI FORCES AT CHECKPOINT ANTI-GADDAFI SOLDIER PUTTING THEIR FLAG ON COMMUNICATIONS MAST
  • Embargoed: 20th September 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Libya
  • Country: Libya
  • Topics: Conflict
  • Reuters ID: LVAAA8HRA4I8F01ZJBQ7CUBNV6RG
  • Story Text: A spokesman for Libya's interim National Transitional Council (NTC) said on Sunday (September 4) their forces were at most, 10 km from the centre of Bani Walid.
    The town is a stronghold of the Warfalla tribe and was earlier said by the NTC to be where former Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi was hiding out.
    The NTC had previously said it would not immediately attack Bani Walid as the Warfalla tribe, divided in respect of loyalties toward Gaddafi, has members which made up some of the council biggest military units.
    Speaking at a checkpoint some 15 km from the outskirts of Bani Walid, and 40 from its centre, an NTC spokesman gave brief details of the military advance.
    "We are now around 15 to 20 km from the residential area of Bani Walid … and rebel forces (NTC) are 10 km from the centre; that's at the most," Mahmoud Abdel Aziz said on Sunday.
    Earlier, an NTC spokesman said their patience was exhausted and an offensive would begin within hours.
    A spokesman for Gaddafi, who is in hiding since his capital fell to rebel forces two weeks ago, dismissed talk of surrender and said powerful tribal leaders were still loyal to him.
    There had been mixed signals over whether the NTC forces would begin an assault on Bani Walid.
    Earlier, NTC chief Mustafa Abdel Jalil held a news conference in the eastern city of Benghazi, the seat of the six-month uprising, that he was ready for more negotiation.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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