Libya: At least seven killed in clashes in Bani Walid

At least seven people were killed and others injured Wednesday in clashes in Bani Walid, 170 km southwest of Tripoli, after the death of a motorist pursued by fighters supporters of the new regime.

According to an official of the National Transitional Council (CNT), the clashes began Wednesday morning between supporters of the old regime and the "thowar" (ex-rebel fighters) of Bani Walid.

"The fighting has killed seven people, including five on the side of thowar, who left as reinforcements in Bani Walid," one of the last bastions of the old regime.

The President of the CNT, Moustapha Abdeljalil, confirmed the clashes without giving a toll.

He said the clashes began after the death of a motorist in a chase behind a "suspicious car that was a danger."

Bani Walid, a large oasis in the rugged terrain 170 km southeast of Tripoli, is the stronghold of Werfallah that form the main tribe of Libya, with a million people (a population of about 6.3 million inhabitants).

Its members are divided into dozens of clans that are found throughout the northern part of the country, with a base in Cyrenaica (East) in the region of the cities of Benghazi and Derna.