¡¡¡¡BEIJING,Jan. 30 (Xinhuanet) ¨C Bani Walid was considered a Gaddafi stronghold. And recent news said that it had come under control by Gaddafi loyalists. Our correspondent KOFA MRENJE went into Bani Walid to show us what the situation is there.

¡¡¡¡He is the man in charge of the 83 brigade that is now in total control of the town of Bani Walid.

¡¡¡¡They took control of the town late last week, after a fierce battle between them and their rivals, the may 25th brigade.

¡¡¡¡The news spread fast, that Bani Walid, had fallen to Ghadafi loyalists, months after the former Libya leader was captured and killed. However, Salem Elwaer, the commander of the brigade, has strongly denied those allegations.

¡¡¡¡Salem Elwaer said: "There are no Ghadafi loyalists here. If Ghadafi had a brigade, he would not have fallen until now.. This is unfortunately what people are saying. But its our mistake. But i can assure you, we are not Ghadafi loyalists."

¡¡¡¡After word went round that the town had returned to the green era, fighters from various cities had been put on high alert, as they planned a raid against Bani Walid. Now Elwaer says that rumor is aimed at turning the rest of Libya against the people of Bani Walid, which is still coincided a Ghadafi stronghold.

¡¡¡¡Salem Elwaer said: "If people keep saying Bani Walid is under Ghadafi loyalists, then the other towns such as Sabhah, Gharian, Kekla or any other place might fight against us. And we might see another revolution. "

¡¡¡¡Out on the streets, its business as usual.

¡¡¡¡Residents say although many were supporting Ghadafi during the revolution, there is law and order in Bani Walid right, and that the green era died when Ghadafi was captured and killed in October last year.

¡¡¡¡Resident Ahmed Mespah said: "The old regime is finished. Now we are part of the revolution. Everything that is being said are just rumors. That BAni Walid is full of Ghadafi loyalists and that we are flying the green flag. Everything is not true. Some people want to break Bani Walid."

¡¡¡¡The Interior ministry had dispatched a team of fighters to take control of the town two days ago. But they have not gain access into the town yet. For now, they are just manning checkpoints outside of the town. But this move, has been strongly opposed by area residents.

¡¡¡¡Resident Faraj Mukhtar said: "The city is secure. Why do they want to interfere? We are walking and living, and there is no any trouble. We don¡¯t want anyone to come here."

¡¡¡¡They insist the problem, is between two rival groups. Which is a social problem, and should be solved socially.

¡¡¡¡Reporter: "You have to pass through three checkpoints that have been put up by a team of soldiers assembled by the interior ministry before getting into Bani Walid. But inside the town, everything is back to normal. But with a denial by the commander of the 83 brigade that has been accused of beeing pro Ghadafi, and even flying the green flag, this could be a relief to many Libyans."

¡¡¡¡(Source: CNTV)