Peaceful handover sought in Libya

CHINA: Libyan rebel forces are seeking a peaceful handover of the town of Bani Walid, one of a few strongholds still held by Muammar Gaddafi's loyalists, and have reportedly clinched a deal. But Gaddafi's whereabouts and future remain unknown.

Al Jazeera reported Tuesday that Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) had reached an agreement with local tribal leaders to enter the town on Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. local time (1000 GMT), but the information has not yet been confirmed by the NTC.

Tunisia's official news agency TAP reported that Libyan rebel forces and delegates from Bani Walid Tuesday resumed talks over the town's peaceful handover, and Abdullah Kanchil, chief negotiator of the NTC, had promised that the NTC would spare their lives. Ahmed Bani, the rebels' military spokesman, affirmed that they had reached an agreement with dignitaries of Bani Walid to enter the town without fighting.

Bani said that the rebels did not want revenge and the deal stipulates that no side would provoke any kind of clashes.

The rebels have extended the deadline for Gaddafi's troops in Bani Walid and Sirte to surrender until Sept. 10. NTC chief Mustafa Abdel Jalil said Tuesday that neither Gaddafi nor his sons were in the town of Bani Walid.

Gaddafi is still on the run, though rebels have taken control of most of the North African country and are working on setting up a new government to replace the former regime.

For its part, Burkina Faso said Tuesday that Gaddafi was not in the country. Burkina Faso's Communications Minister Alain Traore said on state television that his country had not been informed of Gaddafi's arrival, and said his country was not expecting Gaddafi.

Niger on Tuesday denied that Gaddafi was in Niger, while the U.S. State Department said Washington does not believe that Gaddafi was among those entering Niger in a convoy. BEIJING, Wednesday, Xinhua