Forces of Libya’s interim ruling council are poised for an assault on the desert town of Bani Walid after negotiators failed to persuade Muammar Gaddafi loyalists to abandon one of their last remaining bastions.
The town is one of just a handful of areas in Libya still under the control of Gaddafi loyalists after a six-month rebellion ousted the leader from Tripoli last month.
Outside the town, a negotiator for the National Transitional Council forces now in control of the country said talks with tribal leaders were over.
“As chief negotiator, I have nothing to offer right now. From my side, negotiations are finished,” Abdallah Kanshil said at a checkpoint some 60 km outside Bani Walid.
“They said they don’t want to talk, they are threatening everyone who moves.”