Libyan leader says new government to form

TRIPOLI, Libya, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- The National Transitional Council is ready to begin forming a new interim government for Libya, a senior member of the council told CNN Friday.

Mohammed Naser said the group will meet Sunday to begin the discussions, which could take a week.

Elamin Belhaj, another member of the NTC, said earlier in the week discussions would not start until the anti-Gadhafi forces controlled the country's borders and had ousted Gadhafi loyalists from Bani Walid, Sabha and Sirte. The NTC announced Friday that Sabha had fallen.

The fall of Sabha means rebel forces now command the main road that has been used as an exit route for forces loyal to the ousted Libyan leader, the BBC reported. Bani Walid and Sirte were still offering strong resistance but were surrounded by troops loyal to Libya's governing National Transitional Council, rebel officials said.

Sirte is Gadhafi's birthplace.

Gadhafi's whereabouts remained a mystery.

Naser told CNN the interim government will include a prime minister, deputy prime minister and 22 other members of the cabinet. Belhaj in his interview with CNN said an election would be held within eight months for a National Congress to write a new constitution.