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: 561033

  • 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: ACCIDENTAL EXPLOSION IN PICKUP TRUCK, MAN LIES DEAD INJURED MAN DRAGGED AWAY BODY ON GROUND NEXT TO TRUCK
  • Embargoed: 7th October 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Libya
  • Country: Libya
  • Topics: Conflict,Defence / Military
  • Reuters ID: LVAEUXH40G4H24G0BD81EN8OF9M7
  • 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
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