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Rebels go after Gaddafi in Sirte as loyalists bomb Tripoli airport
French intelligence sources believe he is hiding in a bunker in his birthplace. In a video message, he calls on people to “purify” Tripoli. Oil companies are lining up to help the rebels and help themselves to the best contracts.
Tripoli (AsiaNews/ Agencies) – Rebels have begun their push towards Sirte, Gaddafi’s hometown. French intelligence sources said that Libya’s strongman is hiding inside a bunker in a residence in his birthplace, which was recently bombed by NATO.
Despite the manhunt coordinated by British and French Special Forces, Gaddafi has been able to release a video message in which he has called on the Libyan people to “purify Tripoli” from foreign troops.
Troops loyal to him have bombed the capital’s international airport, damaging some planes. In the city itself, which is almost entirely now under the control of the National Transitional Council (NTC), fighting continues.
The NTC has already indicated that it plans to relocate to the capital. Many of its top members are still in the rebel stronghold of Benghazi for security reasons, also waiting for funds to be released in order to set up the new, post-Gaddafi administration.
From Istanbul, Mahmoud Jibril, chairman of the NTC executive board, said that the rebellion can still fail if funds are not released in time. Responding to the rebel plea, the United Nations Security Council said it would look favourably to the release of US$ 1.5 billion in Libyan government assets, frozen at the start of the war.
Meanwhile, oil companies are lining up to provide economic aid and sign contracts with Libya’s new rulers. They include Italy’s ENI, a partner with the former regime which has offered fuel to the rebels; France’s Total, the first foreign company to sign a deal with the NCT, and Spain’s Repsol. Britain’s BP is also active, trying to secure more exploration rights. Austria’s OMV and Marathon have joined the rush as well.