Libya NTC forces edge towards Sirte
- 13 years ago
On the outskirts of Sirte, Libya's interim National Transitional Council forces are ready to advance.
It is one of the last bastions loyal to toppled leader Muammar Gaddafi.
The NTC said it will not declare Libya "liberated" until it is in control of towns still in the hands of Gaddafi loyalists.
In Bani Walid, the fighting continues.
Talks to negotiate a peaceful surrender broke down and the battle began at the weekend.
NTC military spokesman urged the town to surrender.
(SOUNDBITE)(Arabic) MILITARY SPOKESMAN, AHMED BANI, SAYING:
"I would like to say to those people [loyal to Gaddafi] who are hiding in places in Bani Walid and using civilians as human shells; you are lost and the only way to confront the February 17 revolution is to surrender, otherwise you will still loose."
While Gaddafi remains on the run, his son Saadi has turned up in Niger.
Niger's justice minister confirmed Saadi had been intercepted in a convoy after crossing into the country.
Asked what Saadi's status was, the minister said it would fulfill its humanitarian obligations.
The NTC said it plans to unveil a new transitional government representative of all Libyans.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MAHMOUD JIBRIL, HEAD OF NTC EXECUTIVE, SAYING:
"In our negotiations with all areas; all the cities in the west and the east, the transitional government, and all areas in the south, and even the cities still under siege, will be part of a new government."
This move is a bid to soothe fledgling regional rivalries after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi.
Marie-Claire Fennessy, Reuters
It is one of the last bastions loyal to toppled leader Muammar Gaddafi.
The NTC said it will not declare Libya "liberated" until it is in control of towns still in the hands of Gaddafi loyalists.
In Bani Walid, the fighting continues.
Talks to negotiate a peaceful surrender broke down and the battle began at the weekend.
NTC military spokesman urged the town to surrender.
(SOUNDBITE)(Arabic) MILITARY SPOKESMAN, AHMED BANI, SAYING:
"I would like to say to those people [loyal to Gaddafi] who are hiding in places in Bani Walid and using civilians as human shells; you are lost and the only way to confront the February 17 revolution is to surrender, otherwise you will still loose."
While Gaddafi remains on the run, his son Saadi has turned up in Niger.
Niger's justice minister confirmed Saadi had been intercepted in a convoy after crossing into the country.
Asked what Saadi's status was, the minister said it would fulfill its humanitarian obligations.
The NTC said it plans to unveil a new transitional government representative of all Libyans.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MAHMOUD JIBRIL, HEAD OF NTC EXECUTIVE, SAYING:
"In our negotiations with all areas; all the cities in the west and the east, the transitional government, and all areas in the south, and even the cities still under siege, will be part of a new government."
This move is a bid to soothe fledgling regional rivalries after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi.
Marie-Claire Fennessy, Reuters