"I am leaving the military commander to resolve the problem," Abdullah Kenshil said when asked if an attack would now be launched on the town southeast of Tripoli where at least one of Kadhafi`s sons is reputed to be hiding.
Kenshil said the pro-Kadhafi fighters wanted to come out with their weapons but were refused.
"They demanded that the revolutionaries enter Bani Walid without their weapons," he added, charging that it was a pretext for an ambush.
Kenshil also said Kadhafi himself, his sons and many of his family had been in Bani Walid, without specifying when.
Two of Kadhafi`s sons, Saadi and Mutassim, are suspected of being still in Bani Walid.
Negotiations through the intermediary of tribal leaders began several days ago with the hope of taking Bani Walid without bloodshed.
Kenshil said earlier that the pro-Kadhafi forces numbered between 30 and 50 men, "very well-armed, with machine-guns, rocket-launchers and snipers."
Anti-Kadhafi fighters have moved to within 15 to 20 kilometres (10 to 12 miles) of the town with a view to launching an assault if the talks broke down. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
