Post date: Jul 08, 2011 1:42:5 PM
As Libyan rebel fighters continue to advance towards Tripoli, a senior commander says they will soon liberate the capital. Nick Rowlands reports.
LIBYA-REBEL ADVANCE - Libyan rebels fire from the frontline near the town of Zlitan on Wednesday, some 160km east of the capital, Tripoli.
They came under heavy artillery fire, and doctors at the nearby rebel stronghold of Misrata said 19 fighters were killed and around 50 injured.
Elsewhere, rebel fighters seized the strategic village of al-Qawalish, south of Tripoli, after hours of fighting.
The advance puts the rebels on the road towards a larger town controlling a major highway on the outskirts of Tripoli.A senior rebel military officer has told Reuters that troops advancing on Tripoli from different directions would shortly liberate the capital from Gaddafi's forces.
LIBYAN REBEL ARMY COMMANDER, KHALIFA HAFTER:
"The war will be ended, Tripoli is not a problem. Mobilizing our troops through various directions is the core of this operation and it will not be long until our forces push through to the correct position to liberate Tripoli."
He stressed that Gaddafi's demise must come at the hands of the Libyan people, not through a NATO airstrike.
LIBYAN REBEL ARMY COMMANDER, KHALIFA HAFTER:
"Our wish is not for a strike on the house of Gaddafi. Gaddafi is not an insult to NATO, he insults the Libyan people - so we do not want NATO to strike Gaddafi's house as we do not want Gaddafi to leave. What we want is to confront him ourselves so the Libyan people punish him for the crimes he has committed."
The advances come amid reports that Gaddafi is seeking a deal under which he will step down.
But his government has denied that any such negotiations are underway.
Nick Rowlands, Reuters.