Resistance by Gadhafi loyalists rooted in two strongholds has stalled the rebels' final push for complete control over Libya.
Libya's new rulers say that capturing the towns, along with the remote southern stronghold of Sabha, is just a matter of time. They insist they've been slowed by unsuccessful attempts to negotiate surrender deals with tribal leaders where two representatives from the negotiation team were killed on Sunday.
However, the former rebels may have underestimated the continued support for Gadhafi in Bani Walid and the other strongholds, which had been favored by the old regime with jobs, investments and other perks.
Arguments among anti-Gadhafi fighters have further complicated the assault, especially in Bani Walid, home to the Warfala, Libya's largest tribe with about 1 million people, or one-sixth of the country's population.
In recent days, fighters who had rushed to the front from other towns complained bitterly about being kept out of the battle by their comrades from Bani Walid, who told them they do not want
Libya's new rulers say that capturing the towns, along with the remote southern stronghold of Sabha, is just a matter of time. They insist they've been slowed by unsuccessful attempts to negotiate surrender deals with tribal leaders where two representatives from the negotiation team were killed on Sunday.
However, the former rebels may have underestimated the continued support for Gadhafi in Bani Walid and the other strongholds, which had been favored by the old regime with jobs, investments and other perks.
Arguments among anti-Gadhafi fighters have further complicated the assault, especially in Bani Walid, home to the Warfala, Libya's largest tribe with about 1 million people, or one-sixth of the country's population.
In recent days, fighters who had rushed to the front from other towns complained bitterly about being kept out of the battle by their comrades from Bani Walid, who told them they do not want
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http://news.yahoo.com/libya-fighters-push-stalled-gadhafi-troops-194508976.html
