Tripoli, Aug 29: Libyan rebels said today that strongman Moamer Kadhafi still poses a danger for Libya and the world, as insurgents closed in on his hometown Sirte a week after overrunning his capital Tripoli.
 Rebels were also battling to restore basic services in Tripoli, hit by cuts in the supply of water, electricity, petrol and even food following the fierce clashes of the past week.
 The leader of the rebels' National Transitional Council (NTC), Mustafa Abdel Jalil urged in Doha Monday no let-up in international action against Kadhafi.
 "Gaddafi's defiance of the coalition forces still poses a danger, not only for Libya but for the world. That is why we are calling for the coalition to continue its support," Abdel Jalil said at a meeting of chiefs of staff of countries militarily involved in Libya, including Qatar.
 Another senior rebel leader, Jallal al-Digheily -- who holds the NTC's defence portfolio -- told the meeting that coalition support was needed to eliminate the last pockets of resistance by Kadhafi's loyalist troops.
 "We still need the support (of the coalition) to re-establish security and eliminate the sleeper cells and the remainder of Kadhafi's regime," Digheily said.
 The international coalition launched Operation Unified Protector in Libya on March 19 under a UN mandate which authorised air strikes to protect civilians in the country's civil war which began with a peaceful revolt in mid-February. AFP

Lastupdate on : Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 28 Aug 2011 18:30:00 GMT
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