Gaddafi to send forces to surround rebellious Benghazi
13:41 18/03/2011 CAIRO, March 18 (RIA Novosti) - The Libyan Army plans to surround Benghazi, the rebels' stronghold in the east, but will abstain from any attacks on the city, Al-Jazeera television quoted the Libyan leader's son, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, as saying on Friday.
He also said the Army's anti-terrorist forces would disarm the rebels but peaceful civilians would not be harmed and would be able to leave the city if they wanted.
Government forces have been brutally quashing the uprising, which began in mid-February, including with aerial bombings of the eastern territories. Over the past few days, the rebellious cities of Ras Lanuf and Marsa Brega have surrendered in the face of the military campaign.
NATO said earlier on Friday it is ready to attack Gaddafi forces. A NATO source said the United States, Britain, France and Canada were among the countries likely to carry out the first airstrikes.
Germany, however, has announced it will abstain from the bombings, after it weighed out the risks of sending German soldiers to Libya.
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