TRIPOLI, Libya, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- Libyan fighters were attempting to cut off supplies Sunday to Moammar Gadhafi loyalists in Sirte, one of the last cities still held by Gadhafi supporters.
National Transition Council troops were sweeping areas south of Sirte to make sure other pro-Gadhafi cities are not able to send relief. Tribal leaders in heavil -armed Sirte, Bani Walid and Sabha refuse to surrender to the NTC, maintaining loyal to the old regime, CNN reported.
Meanwhile, NATO forces continue to target anti-aircraft guns, tanks and armed vehicles in its strikes on areas still loyal to the deposed Libyan leader.
NTC forces are regrouping after loyalists put up stiff resistance earlier Sunday as the new authorities tried to take control of Bani Walid, southest of Tripoli.
Two of Gadhafi's sons who served as military and intelligence officials in his regime are believed to be in Bani Walid, various international intelligence agencies said.
On the political front, Mustafa Abdel Jalil, head of the NTC, was back in the capital Sunday for the first time since the political revolution began in February. He was Gadhafi's justice minister, but defected to the rebel cause when pro-democracy demonstrations began.
