Exclusive: Gaddafi troops kill 17 youth in Bani Walid

Gaddafi’s troops have killed 17 young people from Al-warfalah tribe A member Bani Walid’s Media Committee, Mahmoud Boras told Arabstoday that Gaddafi’s troops have killed 17 young people from Al-warfalah tribe and burned 15 homes in revenge for providing aid to rebels over the past two days. He also said that Gaddafi’s troops raided houses in the city that were flying the flag of independence, stealing money, attacking residents and destroying proerpty.
Boras says that Gaddafi’s troops had attempted to convince the residents that the rebels had done the damage.
Gaddafi’s brigades have put up fierce resistance to the rebel incursion, using field guns, mortars and snipers to push them back.
Boras added that the rebels have Grad rockets, but still lack weapons and so cannot proceed into the city.
He expressed fear of a massacre because Gaddafi troops are now spread throughout Sirte, Sabha and are hidden within Bani Walid.
A local radio station in Bani Walid said: “the city is being cleared from the inside – they are killing the rebels and everyone else who holds up an independence flag,”
Boras directed an urgent appeal to the NTC’s defence ministry for extra weapons before the security conditions further deteriorate in Bani Walid.
He also added that the number of martyrs is increasing every day.
Boras also said that Gaddafi’s son, Saif Al Islam, has been seen in the city.
Some witnesses say that they saw Gaddafi and the criminal, Milad Alfeki, in Bani Walid last week, but this sighting has been unconfirmed.
The NTC’s official negotiator, Abdullah Kinsal, said that the rebels will "launch a decisive battle during the next 48 hours, and are now preparing to use a wide range of tanks.”
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister of the Transitional Government, Mahmoud Jalil said on Tuesday that he will form a new government during the next ten days.
He added: "I am not concerned about time that it takes to reach national unity.”
Internationally, the Defence Minister, Ignazio La Russa, revealed on Wednesday that NATO will continue its operations in Libya for the next three months.
La Russa said that Italy has not yet made a decision on NATO’s request to extend the mission, but they will keep their forces ready.