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Middle East and North Africa

Libya: TNC units enter Bani Walid

Some 1,200 men from Gaddafi’s battalions and tribal troops are defending the city

BEIRUT, September 16 (Itar-Tass) — Supporters of the new Libyan authorities again entered the city of Bani-Walid from the north on Friday. According to Al Jazeera, Bani Walid, one of the last few strongholds of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, situated 180 kilometres south of Tripoli, was strongly shelled on Friday morning. A military source in the Transitional National Council (TNC) explained that volley-fire weapon systems were used after they learned that most of the 100,000 residents left Bani Walid.

Some 1,200 men from Gaddafi’s battalions and tribal troops are defending the city. Strategic heights around Bani Walid remain in their hands, which gives them certain advantages. Hopes of the TNC command that a rebellion against “Gaddafi supporters” would flare up in the city proved to be futile, and the TNC detachments resumed the offensive, which was interrupted on Saturday.

Middle East and North Africa

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Ukraine’s new ethnic minorities law insufficient to protect Magyars — Hungarian president

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Russia not to go for settlement on Ukraine based on 'Zelensky formula' — Lavrov

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Russia can join top three countries by lithium reserves — governor

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Lavrov labels way West ramping up sanctions against Russia as mindless

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US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace 13 times in past day

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Russia, Turkey discuss safety of Russian tourists abroad

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Russia’s advanced radar in Kaliningrad to monitor entire territory of Europe — source

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Switzerland does not suit Russia for negotiations on Ukraine — Lavrov

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Hungarians in western Ukraine should get their rights back, Budapest says

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A power test of a super-large warhead designed for "Hwasal-1 Ra-3" strategic cruise missile was held as well

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Ukrainian POW exposes poor battlefield performance of NATO-supplied Javelins, NLAWs

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US agrees to withdraw troops from Niger — Washington Post

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Hungary to not intervene in Ukrainian conflict on any side, PM says

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