Bani Walid stalemate continues between NTC, loyalists

NTC forces frustrated after retreat from Bani Walid; "There are a few issues - a lack of weapons, men. We were met with strong resistance," says commander.

By REUTERS
Libya Bani Walid 311 (photo credit: REUTERS)
Libya Bani Walid 311
(photo credit: REUTERS)
The stalemate between NTC fighters and ousted leader Muammar Gaddafi's loyalists continued on the outskirts of Bani Walid on Thursday.
NTC forces have so far been frustrated in their efforts to take control of the area - one of the last bastions of armed support for Gaddafi.
Test firing may be the only rounds that are fired by NTC fighters for the next couple of days, after they were forced to retreat on Wednesday.
The group said they entered the desert town but suffered a fatality and had to retreat due to lack of support from other groups.
According to NTC Commander Mahmnoud al Nafati, "There are a few issues - a lack of weapons and men, who were supposed to be in the rear. At the front we were engaging from the early morning. We couldn't understand why the groups in the back retreated. We moved forward and met very strong resistance."
At the end of August the NTC moved into Tripoli and took control of the capital city - a previous Gaddafi stronghold.
But the ousted leader remains at large, and the NTC believe that he and his associates may be hiding out in Bani Walid.