Libya rebels say Bani Walid tribal leaders divided

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By HADEEL AL-SHALCHI

TARHOUNA, Libya (AP) - Libyan rebels said Sunday that tribal leaders in a besieged pro-Moammar Gadhafi stronghold are divided over what to do and will likely surrender rather than see their followers fight one another.

Rebel forces control most of the oil-rich North African nation and are moving forward with setting up a new government, but the ousted dictator and his staunchest allies remain on the run and enjoy support in several central and southern areas.

The rebels have surrounded Bani Walid, some 90 miles (140 kilometers) southeast of Tripoli, after giving loyalists entrenched there and several other towns until Saturday to surrender peacefully or face an assault.

Col. Ahmed Bani, the rebel's military spokesman based in Benghazi, said he expects members of Libya's largest tribe, the Warfala, which dominates Bani Walid, to give up rather than turn against each other.

Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20110904/D9PHOK6G0.html

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A rebel fighter gestures next to pre-Gadhafi flags at a checkpoint between Tarhouna and Bani Walid, Libya, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2011. Libyan rebels are poised to attack one of Moammar Gadhafi's remaining strongholds, but their military spokesman said Sunday he expected the town's tribal leaders to surrender rather than see their divided followers fight one another. (AP Photo/Alexandre Meneghini)

[Fuddnik]

1. Welcome to Afghanistan 2.0

[Muskypundit]

3. Yeah, because the difference between this and afghanistan are few and far between

:sarcasm:

[daleo]

6. There are many similarities

Most pundits thought Afghanistan was a great success at the beginning, with the Taliban vanquished and little need for western troops. We are hearing similar stuff now.

I recall the Northern Alliance being was talked about in the same way as the Libyan rebels are now. A few Loya Jurgas (not sure about spelling), some schools built, an election or two, and everyone would be happy with the new status quo. NATO troops (who were not supposed to be needed) could go home. It's been ten years and everyone is still there.

I wouldn't assume Libya will be different.

[TheWraith]

9. No, there aren't. nt

[daleo]

11. That's not an argument

It's just contradiction.

[sabrina 1]

2. NATO will be protecting the civilians in those areas, right?

I hope the tribes have asked NATO to do so. After all, that was supposedly their mission, not Regime Change.

[TheWraith]

4. Translation: they're realizing they don't want to be on the losing side here.

No point in getting your ass killed for a lost cause.

[daleo]

7. Or they are playing the long game, like the Taliban.

No point getting killed in a direct confrontation when asymmetrical warfare is smarter.

[Bosonic]

5. Talks on Gaddafi stronghold fail: rebels

Negotiations aimed at peacefully ending a standoff outside one of Muammar Gaddafi's remaining strongholds southeast of Tripoli have failed and Libyan rebels are waiting for the green light to launch a final assault.

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/talks-on-gaddafi-stronghold-fail-rebels-20110905-1jssm.html

[bluebuzzard]

8. The Law of Unintended Consequences:

http://news.yahoo.com/libyan-rebels-round-black-africans-130723394.html

[pinboy3niner]

10. More talks reported at Bani Walid

Al Jazeera's Sue Turton reports on developments from near Bani Walid:

Rebels have pushed to within 7km of the centre of Bani Walid. They exchanged fire with some of the Gaddafi's forces. But they have since retreated a little bit instead of setting up a defensive position there, and the reason for that is, we have more talks...


He said that another group had come forward from the centre of Bani Walid saying that they are completely separate from the others that wanted to talk yesterday when it all broke down.


The rebels yet again have said we will stall going any further, they have pulled back from that 7km mark, they are static there now and they are waiting yet again to see if they can come to any agreement..


They are very concerned that there could very well be civilians who are killed, so they are willing to talk to just about anybody that puts their hands up and says they represent anything to do with the pro-Gaddafi forces.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-sep-5-2011-1311