Closing in on Muammar Gaddafi strongholds in Libya.
Fighters for Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) head into Bani Walid, one of the last bastions of armed support for ousted leader Muammar Gaddafi.
NTC fighters say they came under sniper and mortar fire from inside the town.
One family fleeing the town said they had been located and evacuated by NTC fighters from a neighborhood near the center.
SOUNDBITE: Female family member fleeing Bani Walid, saying: (Arabic):
"The rebels entered our neighborhood to search and clear it, and they are shouting 'are there any families here?' So the guys in the neighborhood they said 'yes, there is a family here'. The rebels came to our house, knocked on the door, and said you can come out now, it's safe," said a female member of the family.
Gaddafi himself remains at large, but NTC officials say they believe senior members of his former regime remain in Bani Walid.
Similar scenes outside of Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte.
NTC fighters return to the battlefield.
SOUNDBITE: Field Commander MahMoud Othman, saying: (Arabic):
"We have replied to them (Gaddafi forces) and now we need the families to leave the city so the fighters inside can fight with us. We don't want blood between us, but if Gaddafi forces want blood, then we are ready."
Citizens are fleeing for their lives.
SOUNDBITE: Sirte resident Tahe Al-Manse, saying: (Arabic):
"We left Sirte because of the terrible situation inside, Gaddafi supporters are putting pressure on people who appear sympathetic with the rebels."
As in many episodes during Libya's seven-month conflict, the frontlines at Sirte and Bani Walid have ebbed back and forth, with fighters' shows of bravado colliding with the reality of battle.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters
