NATO Bombs Tripoli, Rebels Surround Sirte

Tripoli, Aug 29. -NATO air raids caused several explosions on Monday in Tripoli in areas, where forces loyal to leader Muammar Gaddafi continue clashing, sporadically, with the rebels, who now insist on taking over the city of Sirte.The insurgents keep patrolling and inspecting the Bab Aziziyah complex, where the Libyan leader lived, as they augment the search for Gaddafi, as well as for his relatives and supporters.

The leadership of the National Transitional Council (CNT) attempts to consolidate its control over Tripoli, while it tries to negotiate with tribal leaders in Sirte, Gaddafiâ�Ös hometown, so that the leader peacefully surrenders and the city can be taken over.

CNT spokesman, Mahmud Shamman, affirmed on Monday that the rebels, backed by NATO forces, are 30 kilometers away from Sirte and gave an ultimatum to tribal leaders warning them that the negotiation option will not last forever.

Arab reports quoted Gaddafiâ�Ös spokesman, Moussa Ibrahim, who affirmed that the leader remains in Libya and he is willing to hold talks with the rebels to negotiate a transition, a proposal the rebels rejected. (Prensa Latina)