Beni Walid-Libya - The much-anticipated military action to take over the town of Beni Walid from loyalists of Mouammar Kadhafi may have been put off, following an agreement reached early Tuesday between tribal leaders in the town and negotiators of the rebel National Transitional Council (NTC), PANA reported Tuesday, quoting informed sources.

NTC fighters had been poised to engage in a military action to take the town, located 180 km South-east Tripoli, from the Kadhafi loyalists, who were forced out of Tripoli 22 August.

But the rebel leadership had said he preferred a negotiated settlement in other to avoid a bloodbath.

Beni Walid, along with Sirte (centre), Sebha (south) and Jeffra, the largest oasis in the South-eastern part of the country, are the remaining strongholds of Kadhafi.

Beni Walid is the stronghold of the Warfela tribe, the largest tribe in Libya.

Pana 06/09/2011