"Our forces have taken control of the airport of Bani Walid," located in the desert town`s southwest, Yunes Mussa, commander of the National Transitional Council forces in the region, told AFP.
According to the joint command in Tripoli, heavy fighting was raging on Sunday between NTC fighters and loyalists of the fugitive Kadhafi around a kilometre (less than a mile) from the downtown area, which residents have abandoned.
The NTC forces have been trying for a month to gain control of Bani Walid, an oasis in rugged terrain where Kadhafi loyalists have been putting up fierce resistance.
NTC commanders are convinced that Kadhafi`s most prominent son, Seif al-Islam, is in the town, as well as possibly the deposed strongman himself. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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