
File photo of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, (AP).
A local military commander with Libya's interim government, on Tuesday said he is in truce talks with an elder from Gaddafi's tribe inside Sirte.
Gaddafi's hometown, Sirte is one of two major towns still held by fighters loyal to the former leader. Opposition forces are trying to capture the city, and are now on the edge of the city centre.
Touhami Zayani, commander of the El-Farouk Brigade outside Sirte, told Reuters that the elder, whom he did not identify, had contacted him on his satellite phone and asked for a truce.
"He called me and said we are looking for a safe passage for the families and for the militia to leave the city."
Zayani said he had given his agreement for families from Gaddafi's tribe to be allowed to leave Sirte but was still negotiating terms for armed Gaddafi loyalists to surrender.
"We didn't really get into details and we didn't talk much about how they will leave but I think the scenario will be that they have to give up their weapons," Zayani said.
He said he did not know where members of Gaddafi's tribe, who make up the majority of Sirte's population, would go once they leave the city.
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