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Libya conflict: NTC forces claim Bani Walid advance | Libya conflict: NTC forces claim Bani Walid advance |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Forces loyal to Libya's interim authorities say they have entered Bani Walid, one of the last towns still loyal to Col Muammar Gaddafi. | Forces loyal to Libya's interim authorities say they have entered Bani Walid, one of the last towns still loyal to Col Muammar Gaddafi. |
NTC military commanders said they met heavy resistance from Gaddafi loyalists in the town, some 170km (110 miles) south-east of the capital, Tripoli. | NTC military commanders said they met heavy resistance from Gaddafi loyalists in the town, some 170km (110 miles) south-east of the capital, Tripoli. |
Meanwhile, fighting is continuing for Col Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte. | Meanwhile, fighting is continuing for Col Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte. |
And a pro-Gaddafi television station has confirmed reports the ex-leader's son, Khamis, was killed in late August. | And a pro-Gaddafi television station has confirmed reports the ex-leader's son, Khamis, was killed in late August. |
Arrai television, based in Syria, said he had died during fighting with National Transitional Council (NTC) forces in the city of Tarhouna, 90km (60 miles) south-east of Tripoli. | Arrai television, based in Syria, said he had died during fighting with National Transitional Council (NTC) forces in the city of Tarhouna, 90km (60 miles) south-east of Tripoli. |
The son of Col Gaddafi's intelligence chief, Mohammed Abdullah al-Sanussi, was also killed during the battle, Arrai TV said. An earlier report from news agencies suggested that it was the intelligence chief himself who had been killed. | |
Khamis Gaddafi has been reported dead twice before since the uprising against his father began, only to reappear. | Khamis Gaddafi has been reported dead twice before since the uprising against his father began, only to reappear. |
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague has paid a brief visit to the Libyan capital, Tripoli, as part of a wider regional tour of north Africa. His main purpose was to re-open the British embassy and he also met NTC chairman Mustafa Abdul Jalil. | UK Foreign Secretary William Hague has paid a brief visit to the Libyan capital, Tripoli, as part of a wider regional tour of north Africa. His main purpose was to re-open the British embassy and he also met NTC chairman Mustafa Abdul Jalil. |
As well as pressing the new authorities on recent allegations of abuse of prisoners in detention, Mr Hague announced a package of support including extra help for demining around the towns of Sirte and Bani Walid, where fighting continues almost two months after the capital fell to anti-Gaddafi forces. | As well as pressing the new authorities on recent allegations of abuse of prisoners in detention, Mr Hague announced a package of support including extra help for demining around the towns of Sirte and Bani Walid, where fighting continues almost two months after the capital fell to anti-Gaddafi forces. |
Mr Hague has appointed Sir John Jenkins, formerly the special UK representative to Libya and based in Benghazi for the past few months, as ambassador. | Mr Hague has appointed Sir John Jenkins, formerly the special UK representative to Libya and based in Benghazi for the past few months, as ambassador. |
The former embassy building, which was ransacked during the conflict, will take two years to be repaired and made ready for staff to move into. | The former embassy building, which was ransacked during the conflict, will take two years to be repaired and made ready for staff to move into. |
'Resistance' | 'Resistance' |
Also in the capital, bulldozers have begun to demolish Col Gaddafi's fortress-like Bab al-Aziziya compound. | Also in the capital, bulldozers have begun to demolish Col Gaddafi's fortress-like Bab al-Aziziya compound. |
Interim leaders said it was time "to tear down the symbol of tyranny". | Interim leaders said it was time "to tear down the symbol of tyranny". |
Correspondents say local people have already turned a courtyard, from where Col Gaddafi once made fiery speeches, into a weekly pet market. | Correspondents say local people have already turned a courtyard, from where Col Gaddafi once made fiery speeches, into a weekly pet market. |
NTC commanders say troops have launched a fresh assault on the desert town of Bani Walid, but the extent of their advance into the desert town remains unclear. | NTC commanders say troops have launched a fresh assault on the desert town of Bani Walid, but the extent of their advance into the desert town remains unclear. |
Fighters approached the town on Sunday from the north and south after launching a barrage of artillery fire against the positions of pro-Gaddafi fighters, according to the AFP news agency. | Fighters approached the town on Sunday from the north and south after launching a barrage of artillery fire against the positions of pro-Gaddafi fighters, according to the AFP news agency. |
Some 1,500 Gaddafi loyalists are believed to be in the town. | Some 1,500 Gaddafi loyalists are believed to be in the town. |
"We attacked this morning from the south-west. Our men were inside the town this afternoon. But there was heavy resistance", NTC commander Jamal Salem told the news agency. | "We attacked this morning from the south-west. Our men were inside the town this afternoon. But there was heavy resistance", NTC commander Jamal Salem told the news agency. |
Some reports said the NTC forces had reached the city centre, but these have not been verified. | Some reports said the NTC forces had reached the city centre, but these have not been verified. |
Last week, troops were pulled back after suffering heavy losses. | Last week, troops were pulled back after suffering heavy losses. |
Along with Sirte, Bani Walid is one of only two remaining towns in Libya resisting the rule of the NTC. | Along with Sirte, Bani Walid is one of only two remaining towns in Libya resisting the rule of the NTC. |
In Sirte, commanders have been reorganising their forces in an attempt to prevent friendly fire, which some say is slowing their advance. | In Sirte, commanders have been reorganising their forces in an attempt to prevent friendly fire, which some say is slowing their advance. |
The BBC's Wyre Davies in Sirte said on Sunday there had been an attempt to co-ordinate the assault with fighters from Misrata in the west told to hold their positions, while troops from Benghazi in the east tried to take ground in the city centre. | The BBC's Wyre Davies in Sirte said on Sunday there had been an attempt to co-ordinate the assault with fighters from Misrata in the west told to hold their positions, while troops from Benghazi in the east tried to take ground in the city centre. |
However, the situation is chaotic and violent, he adds. | However, the situation is chaotic and violent, he adds. |
At one point the BBC team in Sirte came under heavy sniper fire and a young Libyan nearby was shot dead as they dived for cover. | At one point the BBC team in Sirte came under heavy sniper fire and a young Libyan nearby was shot dead as they dived for cover. |
'Looting' | 'Looting' |
As the fighting continues, the NTC is struggling to exert its authority over the country. | As the fighting continues, the NTC is struggling to exert its authority over the country. |
There have been reports of widespread looting by fighters around Sirte, with witnesses saying truckloads of stolen goods are being driven away. | There have been reports of widespread looting by fighters around Sirte, with witnesses saying truckloads of stolen goods are being driven away. |
Reporters from Associated Press said they saw trucks loaded with everything from tractors and heavy machinery to rugs, freezers, furniture and other household goods being driven off. | Reporters from Associated Press said they saw trucks loaded with everything from tractors and heavy machinery to rugs, freezers, furniture and other household goods being driven off. |