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No-fighting deal allows Libyan rebels to enter Bani Walid

06 September 2011 20:07 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Ahmed Bani, the rebels’ military spokesman, affirmed on Tuesday that they reached an agreement with dignitaries of the town of Bani Walid, south of Tripoli and one of the last strongholds of forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi, in order to enter the town without fighting, APA reports citing Xinhua.

Asked if this issue is an agreement or mere negotiations, Bani told Xinhua by phone that "it is an agreement which will let the rebels enter Bani Walid, without problems or fighting."

"The dignitaries agreed with the rebels to enter the city without any fighting," he added.

"The rebels do not want revenge," he affirmed.

He, meanwhile, said that the deal stipulates that no side would spark any kind of clashes.

Bani Walid is the heartland of the powerful Warfalla tribe, which made up the core of Gaddafi’s army and was given top political positions within the regime.

The town, along with Sirte on the Mediterranean coast and Sabha deep in the Sahara desert, are the last pockets of support for Gaddafi.

The rebels have extended a deadline for Gaddafi’s troops in Bani Walid and Sirte to surrender until Sept. 10.

Gaddafi is still on the run, though rebels have taken control of most of the North African country and are working on setting up a new government to replace the former regime.

Gaddafi’s daughter Aisha, together with her mother, Safiya and brothers, Mohammed and Hannibal, arrived in neighboring Algeria last week and were allowed to stay there by the Algerian government.