NATO Intensifies Air Raids to Back Rebel Advance

Tripoli, Sep 12. -NATO intensified its air raids on Mondays over the cities of Bani Walid and Sirte in an effort to crush the spirit of supporters of leader Muammar Gaddafi, who continue to resist the rebel offensive. On Sunday night and early Monday morning, NATO aircraft stepped up its bombings of Bani Walid in an attempt to speed up the fall of that strategic pro-Gaddafi stronghold.

NATO backed the advance of rebel forces in Sirte and claimed to have destroyed surface-to-air missile canisters, two tanks and two armored vehicles in the hands of pro-Gaddafi troops and civilians.

Regional news reports quoted Niger Minister of Justice Marou Adamou as confirming the entry into Niger of one of Gaddafi's sons, Saadi, whose whereabouts had been unknown since Aug. 21.

Political tensions and clashes among the rebels were registered in some Libyan regions, including the west, where 12 people were reported killed and 16 injured, according to military officials on Sunday  (Prensa Latina)