- Title: LIBYA: Wary of tribal loyalties, rebels will not attack suspected Gaddafi hideout
- Date: 3rd September 2011
- Summary: TRIPOLI, LIBYA (SEPTEMBER 1, 2011) (REUTERS) ABDEL MAJID MLEGTA, COORDINATOR OF THE TRIPOLI MILITARY OPERATION WALKING WITH JOURNALIST (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ABDEL MAJID MLEGTA, COORDINATOR OF THE TRIPOLI MILITARY OPERATION, SAYING: "We have several ideas (about hunting Gaddafi). We will not invade Bani Walid because it has one of the biggest tribes, especially after the appeal that we received from the counsellor. We are relying on the rebels from Bani Walid because they have big brigades, including one that moved from Benghazi to Tripoli and another one that moved from the mountains to Tripoli." ABDEL MAJID MLEGTA, COORDINATOR OF THE TRIPOLI MILITARY OPERATION TALKING (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ABDEL MAJID MLEGTA, COORDINATOR OF THE TRIPOLI MILITARY OPERATION SAYING: "Gaddafi left (Tripoli) on the first night of invasion (of the city). He went to a farm. We received reliable information that he stayed at Mustafa Zaikai farm in the area of Kaiser Babe al Sheikh, until he was able to depart. We received information suggesting that he headed towards Bani Walid along with Serif (Gaddafi's son) and Senesce (former intelligence chief)." ABDEL MAJID MLEGTA, COORDINATOR OF THE TRIPOLI MILITARY OPERATION WALKING AWAY WITH REPORTER
- Embargoed: 18th September 2011 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Libya
- Country: Libya
- Topics: Conflict
- Reuters ID: LVAMXR7MQ300WR26JGHDCQD760A
- Story Text: Muammar Gaddafi is in a desert town outside Tripoli planning a fightback, but rebels say they are in no hurry to invade Bani Walid, where Gaddafi is staying, waiting political solution, a Libyan military chief said on Thursday (September 1).
On capturing fugitive Gaddafi, Abdel Majid Mlegta, coordinator of the Tripoli Military Operation said rebels will depend on rebels from Bani Walid to take over the town and hunt down Gaddafi.
"We have several ideas (about hunting Gaddafi). We will not invade Bani Walid because it has one of the biggest tribes, especially after the appeal that we received from the counsellor. We are relying on the rebels from Bani Walid because they have big brigades, including one that moved from Benghazi to Tripoli and another one that moved from the mountains to Tripoli," he said.
Bani Walid is a stronghold of the powerful Warfalla tribe, which has been divided with respect to loyalties towards Gaddafi.
Mlegta told Reuters "someone we trust" had said Gaddafi fled to Bani Walid, 150 km (95 miles) southeast of the capital, with his son Saif al-Islam and intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senoussi three days after Tripoli fell last week.
"Gaddafi left (Tripoli) on the first night of invasion (of the city). He went to a farm. We received reliable information that he stayed at Mustafa Zaikai farm in the area of Kaiser Babe al Sheikh, until he was able to depart. We received information suggesting that he headed towards Bani Walid along with Serif (Gaddafi's son) and Senesce (former intelligence chief)," Mlegta added.
All three fugitives are wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity.
Fighters of Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) said this week that they were 30 km from Bani Walid. The council has given pro-Gaddafi forces in the coastal city of Sirte a week to surrender or face force.
The war may not be over until Gaddafi is killed or captured -- his wife and three of his children escaped to Algeria on Monday.
Libya's interim rulers have ruled out any U.N. peacekeepers or observers, but are keen on U.N. help with setting up a new police force, a U.N. envoy for post-war planning said this week. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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