Islam Times - Talks with pro-Gaddafi tribes continue

Islam Times - Revolutionary commanders in Libya are still negotiating with tribal leaders loyal to fugitive Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi around Sirte, as battles for control of the Gaddafi strongholds continue to rage.

“We have to negotiate and the talks we are in right now have been dragging. We are trying to reassure the tribes that they are and will be better off in our hands,” said commander of revolutionary forces, Ibrahim Moussa, on Sunday.

The talks were being held with tribes outside the city of Sirte in areas under the control of revolutionary forces with the aim of convincing the tribesmen to support the revolution.

There are over a dozen tribes living between Ras Lanuf and Sirte that received privileges from the Gaddafi regime in return for political support.

Fighters consider the talks as necessary but say that dishonesty on the part of the tribesmen are slowing the progress.

“They said they are disarmed but Ibrahim's men found weapons on them. It seems that negotiations are not easy but we feel they are not being honest to us,” said Samir Abdel Rahman Ali, with a Ras Lanuf security unit.

Revolutionary forces have been delivering food, water and medicine to the tribes, 90 kilometers from Sirte although the tribesmen still do not show any support for the revolution.