Civilians flee pro-Gaddafi Libyan town

Civilians poured out of the Libyan town of Bani Walid on Monday fearful of new fighting between Moammar Gaddafi forces and besieging government troops, an AFP report said . But many more residents remained trapped inside the desert town, 180 kilometres (110 miles) southeast of Tripoli, for want of fuel for their vehicles, those fleeing said. Dozens of cars and pick-ups crammed with families desperate to escape the fighting for the Gaddafi bastion crossed the front lines and entered territory held by forces loyal to the new government. National Transitional Council NTC fighters said they were giving civilians in Bani Walid a chance to get out before launching a new offensive reinforced by fighters from all over Libya. Abdullah Kenshil, chief NTC negotiator, said rebel commanders reported they control the northern valley of Bani Walid while the south and the city centre remain a stronghold of forces loyal to Gaddafi.