NTC forces enter Bani Walid

The National Transitional Council (NTC) forces have entered the strategically important Libyan town of Bani Walid, one of the last remaining strongholds of fugitive ruler Muammar Gaddafi.

“Sleeper cells of revolutionaries went into action and fighting has taken place between them and armed men loyal to Kadhafi,” AFP quoted National Transitional Council (NTC) official Abdullah Kenshil as saying

The developments come after negotiations aimed at ensuring a peaceful takeover of the strategic town were stalled.

The National Transitional Council (NTC) had given pro-Gaddafi forces in the troubled region until Saturday to surrender or face military force.

Thousands of NTC fighters have been deployed outside Bani Walid and its surrounding region.

In the wake of inconclusive negotiations with tribal leaders in Bani Walid, the revolutionaries say they are ready to enter the town without violence, waiting for orders from their commanders.

Bani Walid is one of the four towns still controlled by Gaddafi supporters. The others towns are Jufrah, Sabha and the dictator’s birth place of Sirt.