Forces of Libya's interim rulers say negotiations have broken down on the surrender of fighters in one of ousted dictator Muammar Qaddafi's last remaining strongholds of support.
A negotiator for the National Transitional Council said talks with tribal leaders in the town of Bani Walid had ended.
Thousands of forces linked to the interim council are reported to have surrounded Bani Walid -- however, it is not clear when or if an assault on the town would be launched.
National Transitional Council negotiator Abdullah Kanshil, speaking to reporters near Bani Walid on September 4, said he hoped pro-Qaddafi brigades in Bani Walid would leave soon but that negotiations were over.
No new comment from Qaddafi loyalists in the town was immediately available.
Earlier, a Qaddafi spokesman rejected suggestions that Bani Walid would surrender, saying the town remains loyal.
Reports say the transitional council forces believe that many prominent former Qaddafi regime officials may have sought refuge in Bani Walid, including Qaddafi's top spokesman and aide Moussa Ibrahim, and perhaps even Qaddafi himself.
compiled from agency reports