Snipers disrupt assault and 50,000 Libyans flee

The only other stronghold of Gaddafi loyalists, Bani Walid, has seen National Transitional Council’s (NTC) fighters open another front yesterday.

NTC fighters faced confrontation but held the line on the eastern borders of Bani Walid. Nasser Obeidi, leader of a group operating four Russion-built 130mm artillery cannons, said that they have “enough ammunition and shells to fight for 10 years”.

Obeidi said they are allowing civilians to evacuate the city before the artillery guns are used to commence the planned assault. Red Cross officials say more than 50,000 Libyans have left their homes since the war’s beginning in February.

"The numbers are impressive, but the situation is under control, thanks to the efforts of the Libyan Red Crescent, aid from the international Red Cross" said Red Cross official Abdelhamid al-Mendi.

Gaddafi’s location has still not been determined although repeated statements from the dictator reveal his plans to die a martyr and not escape.