LIBYA: Anti-Gaddafi forces edge closer to Bani Walid, as talks wrap up

Record ID: 561403

  • Title: LIBYA: Anti-Gaddafi forces edge closer to Bani Walid, as talks wrap up
  • Date: 5th September 2011
  • Summary: CHILDREN IN BACK OF PICK-UP TRUCK BOY HOLDS UP FINGERS IN VICTORY SIGN
  • Embargoed: 20th September 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Libya
  • Country: Libya
  • Topics: Conflict,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA8A2X6161KDK32GJHTQSQRE53T
  • Story Text: Forces allied to the Libya's interim National Transitional Council (NTC) were positioned at 10 kilometres from Bani Walid to the east and the north, as negotiations with the town's tribal elders ended on Sunday (September 4).
    Bani Walid is where the interim ruling National Transitional Council believe Muammar Gaddafi fled to after the fall of Tripoli, although, despite issuing several audio messages to supporters, there has been no confirmation of the deposed leader's location.
    Wary of divided loyalties among the predominant tribe in Bani Walid, the Warfalla -- Libya's largest - the NTC have pursued a policy of entry by negotiation in the first instance.
    However, by degrees, NTC forces on Sunday were moving closer to the centre of the town.
    NTC spokesman Abu Seif Genyah said they hoped to hear an answer from Bani Walid's elders soon.
    "We had two delegations - they just left now - and they will be coming to us with the results, very soon; I hope this will be in several hours from now," Genyah told reporters with the NTC forces.
    The spokesman also said they believed that Muammar Gaddafi's son, Saif al-Islam had fled the town, a day or more ago. Genyah added that they were not sure where he was.
    The NATO-backed NTC forces said they were poised, if necessary, to attack what they estimated were 100 pro-Gaddafi forces in Bani Walid.
    On Sunday, the anti Gaddafi forces seized what they said was Khamis Gaddafi's base to the east of Bani Walid, but had no sight of either him or his father.
    They said it was the base that had been attacked by NATO warplanes, just days ago.
    While a family who spoke to Reuters said they had left a village near Bani Walid and indicated there was no sign of armed forces in the town, the NTC forces say they believed Gaddafi forces were still within the town and that the road south to Sabha was still under the control of units loyal to him.
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