Libya conflict: Fear for civilians in Bani Walid siege

Libyan interim government forces who have surrounded the Gaddafi-held desert town of Bani Walid say they hope it can be captured peacefully.



One key anti-Gaddafi negotiator told the BBC civilians in the town could not move and he feared they may be shot in revenge or used as human shields.



He said he hoped the standoff could be resolved by Monday morning.



The interim government says it is now sure Col Gaddafi's son, Khamis, has been killed.



The National Transitional Council (NTC) said he had died in fighting close to Tripoli and was buried near Bani Walid. Muhammad, the son of former spy chief Abdullah Senussi, was also killed, it said.



No further details of the deaths were provided and Khamis's death has been reported on at least two other occasions during the uprising.



Bani Walid, 150km (95 miles) south-east of Tripoli, is one of four towns and cities - the others are Jufra, Sabha and Col Gaddafi's birthplace in Sirte - that are still controlled by Gaddafi forces.



NTC chairman Mustafa Abdel Jalil said the pro-Gaddafi bastions were being given humanitarian aid and time to surrender "to avoid further bloodshed".

Family members



Anti-Gaddafi fighters have moved on Bani Walid from three sides.



The negotiator, Abdullah Kenchil, told the BBC's Ian Pannell there were two colonels and other forces in Bani Walid that remained a threat.He said negotiators were trying to persuade them to lay down their arms, not because of their military strength but because of the danger to civilians.



Mr Kenchil said: "We don't want anything to happen to anyone in Bani Walid. We want to go in peacefully and people will be safe, because otherwise they could be taken as human shields or face revenge if they don't support [the pro-Gaddafi forces]."



He added: "People cannot even move to the market. We are advising people not to enter or leave the town."



Mr Kenchil said pro-Gaddafi military officers were seeking assurances - and had been given them - that they would receive fair treatment and trial for alleged abuses during the uprising if they laid down their weapons.



Another anti-Gaddafi commander, Abu-Sayf Ghaniyah, told al-Jazeera a deal had now been done with elders.



"Rebels are on the outskirts of the town; they will go into it very soon in a peaceful way," he said.



However, the NTC in Benghazi said no negotiations were now ongoing as there was no good faith from the Gaddafi side.



There had been rumours that two Gaddafi sons had travelled through the town and that some family members may still be there.



Mr Kenchil said intelligence sources had told him Saif al-Islam had left Bani Walid only on Saturday, heading to an unknown destination further south, but there was no information of another son, Mutassim.