Anti-Gaddafi Forces Repelled At Bani Walid

Anti-Gaddafi forces are struggling to gain ground as they battle for control of the ousted Libyan leader's remaining strongholds.

Fighters for the nation's ruling National Transitional Council (NTC) have fallen back after another chaotic attack on the desert town of Bani Walid.

But they renewed their battle for Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's birthplace of Sirte.

NTC forces have met stiff resistance in Col Gaddafi's last bastions, which they must capture before the interim government can declare Libya "liberated" and begin work on a constitution before elections.

Since Tripoli fell to anti-Gaddafi forces on August 23, rumours have swirled about whether the deposed leader is in Bani Walid, Sirte, the southern desert town of Sabha or elsewhere.

His fugitive spokesman told reporters on Saturday the ousted leader was still in Libya, directing resistance.

Anti-Gaddafi fighters have tried several times to storm Bani Walid, 95 miles (150km) southeast of Tripoli in recent days.

Their latest attempt ended with a retreat in disorder under heavy rocket fire from the town's defenders.

NTC fighters said they had planned for tanks and pickup trucks with anti-aircraft guns and rocket launchers to lead the attack, but foot soldiers had gone in first without orders.

"There is a lack of organisation so far. Infantry men are running in all directions," said Zakaria Tuham, a senior fighter with a Tripoli-based brigade.

Anti-Gaddafi fighters from Bani Walid blamed their comrades from elsewhere in Libya for being disorganised and unwilling to coordinate.

Those from elsewhere accused some local fighters of being traitors and passing information to Gaddafi loyalists.

Artillery shells have been whistling above anti-Gaddafi positions and exploding across the desert valley, as snipers sprayed bullets from Bani Walid's rooftops.

NTC forces have also attacked Sirte, firing rockets from the city's southern entrance and engaging in gunfights with Gaddafi loyalists holed up in a conference centre.

"The situation is very dangerous. There are so many snipers and all the types of weapons you can imagine," said anti-Gaddafi fighter Mohamed Abdullah.

Sky correspondent Alex Rossi, west of Sirte, near Misratah, said: "Fighters who are against Gaddafi, fighting for the NTC, are facing very fierce resistance indeed going into Sirte.

"It's our understanding, from a commander on the ground, that they lost about 24 of their soldiers in fighting yesterday (Saturday) and we think another two have been killed today."