The ex-strongman of Libya, Muammar Gaddafi, in an audio message broadcast by the satellite television network Al-Rai, affirmed Thursday, September 1, that he will not surrender and says that he is ready for a long struggle, even if the country "burns" : "If they want a long battle, then let it be a long battle. If the country goes up in flames, who will be able to govern it? Let it burn."
"Continue the resistance," appealed the colonel in a recording released on the anniversary of the day which put him in power, September 1, 1969. "We won't surrender. We are not women, and we will keep fighting," vowed Muammar Gaddafi, who remains elusive and who is hunted by the rebels ever since the fall of his HQ at Bab Al-Aziziya in Tripoli on August 23.
"Burn the ground under their feet."
In a message released a few hours later on the same television network, the fifth from the former ruler of Libya since the rebel assault began the 20th of August on the capital, Tripoli, Muammar Gaddafi was precise in his threats: "Get ready for a war of gangs, urban warfare, and a popular resistance in each city [. . .] to vanquish the enemy everywhere," he promised.
He also rejected the ultimatum from the new rulers of Libya that he surrender by September 12. "Libya will not surrender and it will not be colonized," declared the former no. 1 of Libya, assuring that, "the resistance is growing in Tripoli, it will be liberated foot by foot." "We will fight everywhere and we will burn the ground under their feet [. . .]. You willl not find sleep nor peace of mind in this land!" he added.
According to the vice-president of the National Transitional Council (NTC), Gaddafi, who has a bounty of $1.7million on his head (2million Libyan dinars), has found refuge in Bani Walid: information to be taken with caution, according to the NTC, because it is not yet confirmed.
This town in the interior of the land, about 150 km southwest of the capital, Tripoli, is one of the fiefs of the Warfalla tribe, which is among the most powerful in the country. According to a person "in whom [the NTC] has confidence", Muammar Gaddafi, his son Saïf Al-Islam, and the chief of the intelligence service arrived in this location three days after the fall of Tripoli last week. However, the British television network Sky News, citing a bodyguard for the Gaddafi clan, reported Tuesday that the dictator had left Tripoli last Friday and took refuge instead in the city of Sebha.
Wednesday, Gaddafi's minister for foreign affairs was arrested close to Janzour, a suburb to the west of Tripoli.
Negotiations continue in Sirte
While pockets of resistance remain in the country, the interim council in power in Libya announced Thursday that it will extend for one week its ultimatum to the partisans of Muammar Gaddafi entrenched in the coastal city of Sirte. Before this annoucement, the TNC had set an ultimatum of four days, due to expire in Saturday, with the partisans of the regime in the birthplace of Colonel Gaddafi.
According to the BBC, intense discussions which were taking place with the tribal chiefs of Sirte in order to avoid a bloodbath ended Thursday without an agreement being reached. Outside of Syrte, the partisans of Muammar Gaddafi are confined to places such as Bani Walid and the oasis of Sebha, in the center-west of the country.
Although the rebels hope for a peaceful surrender of the localities faithful to Gaddafi, they must, however, prepare for a possible attack from loyalist forces Thursday, the anniversary of the coup d'Etat which brought the "Guide" to power. [Note: article published early Thursday afternoon] On the ground the situation remains calm, says a senior official of the rebellion.
Read the article in the original French at this link.
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