LIBYA: Forces for Libya's National Transitional Council prepare tanks for an advance on Bani Walid, one of the last bastions of armed support for Muammar Gaddafi

Record ID: 561032

  • Title: LIBYA: Forces for Libya's National Transitional Council prepare tanks for an advance on Bani Walid, one of the last bastions of armed support for Muammar Gaddafi
  • Date: 22nd September 2011
  • Summary: NORTH OF BANI WALID, LIBYA (SEPTEMBER 21, 2011) (REUTERS) TANKS ON TRAILERS VARIOUS OF MEN EXAMINING TANK TANK REVERSING OFF TRAILER TANK MOVES FORWARD SECOND TANK REVERSING OFF TRAILER FIGHTERS SITTING ON TANK, CHEERING VARIOUS OF TANK MOVING FORWARD VARIOUS OF MEN SITTING ON TANK VARIOUS OF TANK DRIVING FORWARD (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) COMMANDER ABDUL SALAAM GANUNA SAYING; "Of course it will certainly help us a lot in the final battle. You have seen these tanks. There are also Grads and we will use them by putting them in the front. And the other arrangements, and plans, you will be aware of, and you will be with us when we move." VARIOUS OF TANKS MOVING FORWARD MILITARY VEHICLES, TANKS, PARKED FIGHTER SEATED WITH MACHINE GUN FIGHTER WAVING FLAG FROM VEHICLE VEHICLES DRIVING TOWARDS BANI WALID FIGHTER SITTING IN TRUCK VARIOUS OF VEHICLES DRIVING TOWARDS BANI WALID
  • Embargoed: 7th October 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Libya
  • Country: Libya
  • Topics: Conflict,Defence / Military
  • Reuters ID: LVAEHO4C89LDSV2PV2L6TGACVPQM
  • Story Text: Libyan forces moved tanks towards the Bani Walid frontline on Wednesday (September 21), in an attempt to capture one of the last remaining enclaves of armed support for Muammar Gaddafi.
    "Of course it will certainly help us a lot in the final battle. You have seen these tanks. There are also Grads and we will use them by putting them in the front," said National Transitional Council (NTC) commander Abdul Salaam Ganuna.
    Almost a month after armed rebels, backed by a NATO bombing campaign, seized control of Tripoli, Libya's new leaders are still trying to assert their authority over the desert town 90 miles southeast of the capital.
    Irregular militias have been pushing into Bani Walid in recent days to confront pro-Gaddafi fighters before pulling back, but forces for Libya's National Transitional Council say they are preparing for a coordinated military assault in the coming days.
    During the military preparations north of Bani Walid an accidental explosion killed one NTC fighter and injured at least one other. Accidents with weapons and explosives among the ranks of the NTC are not uncommon as most the fighters are inexperienced in combat.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register