Libyan fighters seize most of Bani Walid

One of Moammar Gadhafi’s last remaining strongholds nears fall


TRIPOLI (AP) ― Libyan revolutionary forces have captured almost all of Bani Walid, one of Moammar Gadhafi’s last remaining strongholds, but still face pockets of resistance as they try to end a weeks-long standoff, officials said Monday.

Fierce resistance in Bani Walid and Gadhafi’s hometown of Sirte has prevented Libya’s new leaders from declaring full victory and setting a timeline for elections. It has been more than two months since the former rebels gained control of the rest of the oil-rich North African nation.

In a step toward normalcy, the transitional leadership council confirmed it has signed an agreement with NATO that partially lifts the no-fly zone imposed in March over the country, allowing resumption of some flights without seeking NATO approval. The embargo was imposed as part of the U.N. Security Council resolution that authorized airstrikes to protect civilians from Gadhafi’s regime.

Anwar Elfeitori, the minister of transportation and communications, said the agreement signed Thursday in Malta will make it easier to transport wounded fighters from the front lines for treatment.

“The partial lifting of the air embargo will help with the transportation of the casualties, which is the No. 1 priority at this time, as well as facilitate the movement of people between Libya and the rest of the world,” Elfeitori told the Associated Press in an interview.

He said the agreement only applies to specific routes and altitudes for humanitarian flights but is designed so it can be amended to include other areas as security conditions allow.

In Washington, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the revolutionary council fighters are making progress. He called on pro-Gadhafi forces “to lay down their weapons and join the new Libya.”

NATO officials have expressed surprise at the persistence of Gadhafi’s supporters. Libyans believe the heavy resistance signals some of Gadhafi’s sons and other high-level regime figures are hiding in the areas.

Fighters in Bani Walid, which has proven particularly hard to capture because of its difficult terrain, said they have entered the city center for the first time but still were fighting Gadhafi supporters in surrounding villages.

“We liberated the city around sunset on Sunday and raised the revolutionary flags all over the city,” field commander Abdel-Salam Genouna told the Associated Press. He said fighters had occupied the central marketplace, the hospital, the hotel and an old fort that had all been used as bases for Gadhafi loyalists.