Rebels closing in ... but Gadhafi remains defiant
Source: Agencies |
September 2, 2011, Friday
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Moammar Gadhafi warned from hiding yesterday that tribes loyal to him were well-armed and preparing for battle, hours after rebels hoping for a peaceful surrender extended the deadline for loyalist forces to give up in the Libyan leader's hometown.
Gadhafi's audio statement, broadcast by Syrian-based Al-Rai TV, came as the rebels said they were closing in on the former ruler.
"We won't surrender again; we are not women, we will keep fighting," Gadhafi said. His voice was recognizable, and Al-Rai has previously broadcast several statements by Gadhafi and his sons.
Rebels have been hunting for the Libyan leader since he was forced into hiding after they swept into Tripoli on August 20 and gained control of most of the capital after days of fierce fighting.
Opposition fighters, backed by NATO airstrikes, have been advancing toward three regime strongholds: Sirte; Bani Walid, 140 kilometers southeast of Tripoli; and Sabha, in the southern desert. All three places had been given a deadline of Saturday to surrender. While the deadline extension was officially only for Sirte, rebels said it would also include Bani Walid and Sabha.
There has been speculation that Gadhafi is hiding in one of the three towns.
Gadhafi's wife, Safiya, sons Mohammed and Hannibal, and daughter Aisha fled to Algeria on Monday, firm evidence that the longtime leader has lost his grip on the country. Aisha gave birth to her fourth child on Tuesday in Algeria.
The Algerian newspaper El Watan reported that Gadhafi himself also sought refuge, but the Algerian president refused to take his phone calls. Algeria's foreign minister insisted yesterday that Gadhafi was not in Algeria. Asked on Europe-1 radio if Gadhafi could be given asylum, Mourad Medelci said, "I don't believe so."
In yesterday's message, Gadhafi said the tribes in Sirte and Bani Walid are armed and "there is no way they will submit."
World leaders and top international envoys started talks yesterday with Libya's rebel government about how to keep the country together, after months of civil war and decades of dictatorship under Moammar Gadhafi.
The summit in Paris is looking to free up billions in frozen Libyan assets worldwide to help the newly dominant opposition, and to reconcile diplomatic differences over the NATO-led airstrike campaign that helped oust Gadhafi.
Russia, which had criticized the NATO operation, gave a boost to the meeting by recognizing the rebels as Libya's interim leadership hours before the talks started.
Some 60 heads of state and leading figures are taking part in the meeting.
Gadhafi's audio statement, broadcast by Syrian-based Al-Rai TV, came as the rebels said they were closing in on the former ruler.
"We won't surrender again; we are not women, we will keep fighting," Gadhafi said. His voice was recognizable, and Al-Rai has previously broadcast several statements by Gadhafi and his sons.
Rebels have been hunting for the Libyan leader since he was forced into hiding after they swept into Tripoli on August 20 and gained control of most of the capital after days of fierce fighting.
Opposition fighters, backed by NATO airstrikes, have been advancing toward three regime strongholds: Sirte; Bani Walid, 140 kilometers southeast of Tripoli; and Sabha, in the southern desert. All three places had been given a deadline of Saturday to surrender. While the deadline extension was officially only for Sirte, rebels said it would also include Bani Walid and Sabha.
There has been speculation that Gadhafi is hiding in one of the three towns.
Gadhafi's wife, Safiya, sons Mohammed and Hannibal, and daughter Aisha fled to Algeria on Monday, firm evidence that the longtime leader has lost his grip on the country. Aisha gave birth to her fourth child on Tuesday in Algeria.
The Algerian newspaper El Watan reported that Gadhafi himself also sought refuge, but the Algerian president refused to take his phone calls. Algeria's foreign minister insisted yesterday that Gadhafi was not in Algeria. Asked on Europe-1 radio if Gadhafi could be given asylum, Mourad Medelci said, "I don't believe so."
In yesterday's message, Gadhafi said the tribes in Sirte and Bani Walid are armed and "there is no way they will submit."
World leaders and top international envoys started talks yesterday with Libya's rebel government about how to keep the country together, after months of civil war and decades of dictatorship under Moammar Gadhafi.
The summit in Paris is looking to free up billions in frozen Libyan assets worldwide to help the newly dominant opposition, and to reconcile diplomatic differences over the NATO-led airstrike campaign that helped oust Gadhafi.
Russia, which had criticized the NATO operation, gave a boost to the meeting by recognizing the rebels as Libya's interim leadership hours before the talks started.
Some 60 heads of state and leading figures are taking part in the meeting.
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