Libya fighters issue deadline to civilians in Gadhafi stronghold

Libya's interim leadership gave residents in the pro-Gadhafi stronghold of Bani Walid a 48-hour notice to leave the city, as it sent reinforcements there and to the former regime's other remaining strongholds at Sirte and Sabha.

As the National Transitional Council sought to assert control over all its territory, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, arrived in Tripoli Wednesday to meet with Libya's new leaders.

Feltman met with NTC head Mustafa Abdul Jalil, as well as with civil society, women and youth non-governmental organizations.

"I am encouraged by these individuals and these organizations' efforts," Feltman said.

His conversations with the NTC centered on three points, he said. First, that the United States respects Libya's sovereignty, and that the country's destiny must be chosen by its people. Also, the United States and NATO are committed to Libya with their mission as it plans its future. Finally, the United States seeks to create a broad relationship with Libya based on mutual respect, Feltman said.

"What an incredible accomplishment it is that we can meet and speak freely today," he said, adding that Americans were "inspired by (Libyans') courage and determination."

Feltman is the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Libya since the rebels took control of the capital.

"This is not the end of the Libya's transition. It is the beginning," he said.

The interim government was still struggling with the three Gadhafi strongholds that remained in loyalist hands. Abdulrahman Busin, an NTC spokesman, told CNN that the new deadline for Bani Walid started late Tuesday and ends Thursday night. This is not the first deadline that has been issued for the city, but previous deadlines were aimed at negotiating with the loyalists to give up the city. The new deadline warns civilians to evacuate before an offensive by the rebels.

At a checkpoint about 9 miles outside of Bani Walid, families drove out of the city, complaining of difficult conditions inside, including limited food and water. People also said they did not feel safe inside the city.

Jalil has said that his goal is to create "a state of institutions, a state of law" in Libya.

Jalil was justice minister under ousted Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi before defecting to join the opposition in February.
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