NTC Fighters Advance to Bani Walid

A representative of Libya’s National Transitional Council said on Sunday that their fighters were positioned about 60 kilometers from the center of Bani Walid.

Bani Walid is home of Libya’s biggest tribe, the Warfalla, which comprises a sixth of the entire country’s population. It is also one of the few remaining areas under Muammar Qaddafi’s control.

The NTC is mounting pressure on the town, preparing to capture it by force if the tribal leaders do not surrender.

Meanwhile, Qaddafi has been in hiding since the NTC fighters captured Tripoli two weeks ago.

In an audio message released last week by Qaddafi, the fallen leader said that the Warfalla would defend him indefinitely.

Although the NTC is proceeding with the establishment of the country’s new government, they are delaying the declaration of victory until Qaddafi is caught and his remaining strongholds seized.