Fighters surround holdout Libyan town
- 13 years ago
The push for Bani Walid continues.
Fighters loyal to Libya's interim government advance on the desert town - one of the last remaining bastions of support for ousted leader Muammar Gaddafi.
But the offensive has met stiff resistance.
Anti-Gaddafi fighters are coming under heavy mortar attack on the town's outskirts.
And sniper fire has made it difficult for fighters to advance into the heart of Bani Walid, which is controlled by Libya's largest tribe.
Anti-Gaddafi commanders, though, remain optimistic.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) LIBYAN COMMANDER, ABSALAM GNUNA, SAYING;
"Regarding the position in Bani Walid, it's all under control. We have specific orders and tactics from the military council of Bani Walid. At the same time we have orders to help some families inside the town to escape."
Gaddafi - who ran the country for 42 years before being driven from power last month - remains at large.
Senior members of his former regime, including his son Saif al-Islam, are believed to be in Bani Walid.
Andrew Raven, Reuters
Fighters loyal to Libya's interim government advance on the desert town - one of the last remaining bastions of support for ousted leader Muammar Gaddafi.
But the offensive has met stiff resistance.
Anti-Gaddafi fighters are coming under heavy mortar attack on the town's outskirts.
And sniper fire has made it difficult for fighters to advance into the heart of Bani Walid, which is controlled by Libya's largest tribe.
Anti-Gaddafi commanders, though, remain optimistic.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) LIBYAN COMMANDER, ABSALAM GNUNA, SAYING;
"Regarding the position in Bani Walid, it's all under control. We have specific orders and tactics from the military council of Bani Walid. At the same time we have orders to help some families inside the town to escape."
Gaddafi - who ran the country for 42 years before being driven from power last month - remains at large.
Senior members of his former regime, including his son Saif al-Islam, are believed to be in Bani Walid.
Andrew Raven, Reuters