Reply #39: Libya fighters look for desert showdown with Gaddafi

[pinboy3niner]

Thu Sep 1, 2011 8:48pm GMT


• NTC fighters near Gaddafi stronghold

• Preparing for showdown in the desert


By Maria Golovnina


EAST OF BANI WALID, Libya, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Their guns trained on the barren desert and eyes fixed on the hazy horizon, anti-Gaddafi fighters patrolling the edge of the ousted leader's last stronghold in Libya say they are ready for their final battle.

...


At the last dusty outpost east of Bani Walid, NTC fighters said they engaged in almost daily skirmishes with Gaddafi loyalists scouting the area but had yet to receive orders from their commanders to advance.

...


Kicking up columns on dust, NTC convoys make daily incursions into the area but avoid open hostilities unless provoked, they said.

...


The NTC fighters said they had 168 units -- or about 16,000 men -- deployed in the area around their regional stronghold of Misrata, but conceded that any fight for Bani Walid or Sirte would be tough.


"It's not about the numbers. Bani Walid is surrounded by hills, and Gaddafi's men have tanks and Grads (rocket launchers) deployed on hilltops. Sirte will be equally difficult," said Ismail Sabhi, an NTC unit commander.

...


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE7800UC20110901?sp=true