Libyan govt reaches handover agreement with Bani Walid

Libyan army forces gather at their headquarters in Tripoli Oct 18, 2012, before their deployment to the city of Bani Walid, some 185 km south of the capital. [Photo/Agencies]

BENGHAZI, Libya - Libya's hilltop town of Bani Walid agreed to let the government establish control in it after a series of talks, officials said Friday.

The town has been under siege for more than 18 days by forces from different factions, which demanded the handover of a number of people accused of kidnapping and torturing Omar ben Shaaban, who reportedly captured former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

The 22-year-old died last month in a French hospital, due to torture injuries experienced at home.

These forces claimed that they were trying to implement the so-called "Order 7" issued by Libya's General National Congress late last month. The order said force could be used if necessary.

Abdulgader al-Agoori, a government representative, said Bani Walid has agreed to turn in those wanted men.

He said the government was trying to negotiate a withdrawal of the factional forces surrounding the hilltop town. Once the forces have left, government troops would step in to ensure the city's security.

Earlier, there were reports that the surrounding forces were still on their offensive in a bid to prevent the handover of the beleaguered city to the government.

Meanwhile, a military official said regular army forces were being sent from Tripoli to Bani Walid to take control of the town.