Bani Walid claimed by NTC forces

GlobalPost

Libya's rebel forces have entered Bani Walid, one of the last Libyan towns still loyal to former dictator, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, forces loyal to the National Transitional Council say.  Libya's interim government, the NTC, said that they had raised the country's new flag over Bani Walid.  Reports state that it is still unclear whether Bani Walid has been completely captured, according to the National Post.

The NTC's military commanders said that they met resistance from the Gaddafi loyalists in the town, as fighting for Gaddafi's hometown Sirte continues, according to the BBC.

According to Al Jazeera, the NTC controls about 60 percent of the town.  

“We have reached the city centre [of Bani Walid] and have raised the flag,” said Colonel Abdullah Naker, who is the head of the Tripoli Revolutionist Council, according to Reuters

More from GlobalPost: Video: On the Ground in Bani Walid

According to Al Magharebia:

Ayman Mohammed, a field commander with the Az-Zawiya revolutionaries, said that fighters planned a large scale attack from three sides in an effort to raise the independence flag and complete the liberation.

A Syrian television station, Arrai television, has confirmed reports that Gaddafi's son, Khamis, was killed in late Agusut. According to the pro-Gaddafi station, Khamis died during fight with the NTC forces in Tarhouna, which is 60 miles south east of Tripoli. Khamis has been reported dead twice before.  

Mohammad Abdulla al Sanussi, Gaddafi's intelligence chief, was also killed during the battle.  

More from GlobalPost: Bani Walid families flee

Do you support journalism that strengthens our democracy?

At The World, we believe strongly that human-centered journalism is at the heart of an informed public and a strong democracy. We see democracy and journalism as two sides of the same coin. If you care about one, it is imperative to care about the other.

Every day, our nonprofit newsroom seeks to inform and empower listeners and hold the powerful accountable. Neither would be possible without the support of listeners like you. If you believe in our work, will you give today? We need your help now more than ever!