DTN News - SEARCH FOR GADDAFI: Over 800 Killed In Battle For Gaddafi's Home Town Of Sirte In Libya
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 3, 2011: Libya's transitional leaders believe hundreds of their supporters have been gunned down in Colonel Gaddafi's home town of Sirte by desperate regime loyalists, even as they try to negotiate its surrender.
The town is Gaddafi's biggest remaining Libya stronghold and rebel commanders know his forces are dug in for a bloody battle.
For now opposition forces have held their positions to the east and west as they wait for tribal elders to negotiate with Gaddafi fighters.
But Shamsiddin Ben-Ali, a spokesman in the rebel city of Benghazi, said 800 people had been killed in the past three days.
"Many of the people of Sirte are on our side now and want to be part of the revolution," he said. "The people with guns though are still resisting."
The death toll raises a bloody conundrum for the country's new leaders: rushing in could spell a military disaster but waiting is costing a very high price in civilian casualties.
Rebel leaders know that Sirte's long association with Gaddafi – he was born just outside and went to primary school in the Mediterranean town – make it difficult to win over.
Many government departments were moved to Sirte during his 42-year reign and money was showered on its roads and architecture.
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