September 9, 2011

Gadhafi forces take 300 hostages as 'human shields,' rebels claim

McClatchy Newspapers

BENGHAZI, Libya - Forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi have moved hundreds of hostages to a village outside Sirte in what appear to be preparations for a final violent stand, officials of the National Transitional Council said Thursday.

click image to enlarge

Libyan fighters prepare a projectile at a checkpoint between Tarhouna and Bani Walid on Thursday. Thousands of fighters have converged outside Bani Walid and have threatened to attack if residents don't surrender by Saturday.

The Associated Press

The transfer of as many as 300 rebels taken captive during recent fighting to the village of Qasr bu Hadi, which is about 10 miles east of Sirte, took place earlier this week, transitional council officials said.

Fathi Baja, head of political affairs for the council, equated the transfer of the prisoners to "taking human shields."

Gadhafi loyalists also arrested at least four prominent backers of the National Transitional Council in Sirte on Wednesday and have moved them as well to Qasr bu Hadi, which is under the control of Gadhafi's Gaddhafiya tribe, according to Hassan al Droe, Sirte's representative to the council.

A rebel deadline for a negotiated settlement runs out at midnight tonight, and officials are expecting a bloody endgame.

Gadhafi and his backers appeared to be preparing a final stand. The former dictator has been issuing orders on a local FM radio station, council officials said, urging his loyalists to continue the fight.

In a radio statement Wednesday, Gadhafi commanded his backers to organize 1,000 cars and drive east on Libya's Mediterranean coast to reconquer the oil refinery town of Brega, Droe said. Only 90 vehicles responded, however, Droe said.

Droe estimated that there were about 1,000 loyalist fighters in Sirte and about the same number in Qasr bu Hadi.

National Transitional Council officials said they don't know for sure where Gadhafi is now hiding, but the moves by his loyalists around Sirte, together with the FM broadcast, seemed to point to his likely presence near the city.

 

Were you interviewed for this story? If so, please fill out our accuracy form

Send question/comment to the editors




Further Discussion

Here at PressHerald.com we value our readers and are committed to growing our community by encouraging you to add to the discussion. To ensure conscientious dialogue we have implemented a strict no-bullying policy. To participate, you must follow our Terms of Use.

Questions about the article? Add them below and we’ll try to answer them or do a follow-up post as soon as we can. Technical problems? Email them to us with an exact description of the problem. Make sure to include:
  • Type of computer or mobile device your are using
  • Exact operating system and browser you are viewing the site on (TIP: You can easily determine your operating system here.)


Most…