Libya denies Gadhafi son dead in raid

TRIPOLI, Libya, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Rebels said a son of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi was among 32 people killed in a NATO airstrike Friday. A government official called the report "dirty lies."

A NATO spokesman said military alliance leaders were aware of the report that Khamis Gadhafi was killed in an overnight raid in Zlitan but could not confirm it, The Guardian reported.

A spokesman for Gadhafi said the report was untrue, The Daily Telegraph reported.

"Basically the news about the killing of Khamis by a NATO airstrike are very dirty lies to cover the murder of civilians in the peaceful city," said government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim.

If the report is accurate, Khamis would be Gadhafi's second son killed during a months-long uprising seeking the leader's ouster. Saif al-Arab Gadhafi was killed in April in another NATO airstrike.

Rebels have been trying for weeks to take Zlitan, about 100 miles east of Tripoli, The Guardian reported, but residents say they fear what would happen if the city were liberated.

Zlitan's leaders are worried that if rebel forces take over the town government artillery will be directed at them and result in many civilian deaths, rebel leaders said.

"It's not that much of a problem to capture Zlitan," said rebel fighter Mohammed Elfituri. "The problem is the families won't let us pass."