Libya's NTC says full of Sabha under control
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Xinhua, September 22, 2011
Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) has taken control of Sabha, known as one of the main bastions of fallen leader Muammar Gaddafi, military spokesman from the NTC Ahmed Bani confirmed Thursday, following similar reports from the frontline the previous day.
At a press conference held in the Libyan capital of Tripoli, Bani said he is sure that Sabha is entirely free now, after the NTC fighters had driven away some of the Gaddafi loyalists from the town.
Bani said there were still pockets of Gaddafi people in Sabha, who were fighting "on themselves" rather than for the Gaddafi leadership. But he fell short of courage to make any confirmation whether Gaddafi and his sons were once in Sabha before the NTC's seizure.
Meanwhile, the spokesman reiterated that the NTC fighters had got control of the airport, an air base and the main streets in Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte, stressing that as Sabha was liberated in a proper way, Sirte would not be a problem.
On Bani Walid, where the NTC's offensives were upset by geographical difficulties and the Gaddafi remnants' resistance, the spokesman said the situation there was "not foggy" as some considered. But he confirmed that a total of 18 NTC fighters were killed during recent clashes in the southeastern town.
The spokesman went on to say that the NTC did not regret giving Gaddafi the chance for peace talks in Bani Walid, which reflects the ruling authority's concern about civilian lives.
"Bani Walid will be free soon, by any way," Bani said.
At the same press conference, Bani told reporters that NATO's extension of military operations in Libya was aimed to protect the civilians.
NATO decided on Wednesday to extend its air mission in Libya for another three months. The current 90-day mandate expires on Sept. 27.
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