Myjoyonline
Residents of Agogo in the Asante Akyim North District of the Ashanti region are bracing up to return fire on Fulani herdsmen in the area who they accuse of terrorizing them.
The residents also accused the herdsmen of murders, rapes and constant harassment of the indigenes.
Dampened by the seeming delay by government in responding to their plights, the residents hit the streets of Agogo on Friday to register their displeasure about the vicious activities of the Fulani herdsmen.
A Spokesperson for the Agogo Residents Association, Kingsley Obeng, told Joy FM’s Top Story that if the government fails to act within two weeks, they will take the law into their own hands, swearing, they will kick the Fulani herdsmen from the area.
“If by two weeks time the government does not come to our aid we shall take the law into our hands and do whatever we like with the herdsmen… We shall fight them, we are also having guns.”
He said they were certain that most of the atrocities committed in the area were done by the Fulani herdsmen.
Mr Obeng said when they met chiefs of the area, they were told that the Fulani herdsmen have overstayed their welcome and would no longer be tolerated in the area.
He opined that the Fulanis were given up to 29th March by the chiefs to leave the area because they have “violated” their part of the agreement with the chiefs, which allows them to live on their land, but “up till now they are still here, killing us and doing all sort of things they like. That is why we are angry now.”
He said they are also not interested in going to court because the law is cumbersome, and would delay justice for them.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Interior, Dr Benjamin Kumbuor cautioned the residents against taking the laws into their own hands, maintaining, that such move would “be a very dangerous step”.
“I would want to caution, and very, very firmly that any citizen in this country who takes the law into his hands, it is the responsibility of the security agencies, constitutionally, to protect lives and property.”
He said the government is aware of the “complicated” situation in the area as it works around the clock, carrying out its responsibility, to maintain peace and order there.
“[The issue in Agogo] is one that is a very large mix bag of so many things. It involves emotions, it involves legal question, it involves social cohesion, it involves international rule. It is a very complicated area.”
Inasmuch as he sympathized with the residents, Dr Kumbuor also asked the residents to be cautious of rushing into conclusion, thus attributing every single crime in the area to the Fulani herdsmen.
He said while the government reviews the situation there, the joint military/police team dispatched to the area would be maintained
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Nigerians Fear 'killer phone number'
Nigeria's authorities have been forced to reassure the public that a mobile phone number cannot kill, after rumours were spread by text messages.
Viral text messages had warned that several people had died when they answered calls with the ID 09141.
The regulatory body, the Nigerian Communications Commission, said this was "unimaginable" and "unscrupulous persons" were spreading fear.
'Gullible people'
The text messages gave conflicting accounts of the number of people killed when they answered the call - some put the death toll at seven while others put it at 10.
"Technically, it is not possible for such a thing to happen. It is therefore unimaginable that somebody will die while receiving a call," commission spokesman Reuben Muoka said.
"It is only very gullible people that will believe such a rumour."
Other messages that have caused panic in the past include claims that acid rain from seasonal dust storms can burn people alive, the AP news agency reports.
Poor education and superstitious beliefs lead some Nigerians to take the messages seriously, correspondents say
Viral text messages had warned that several people had died when they answered calls with the ID 09141.
The regulatory body, the Nigerian Communications Commission, said this was "unimaginable" and "unscrupulous persons" were spreading fear.
'Gullible people'
The text messages gave conflicting accounts of the number of people killed when they answered the call - some put the death toll at seven while others put it at 10.
"Technically, it is not possible for such a thing to happen. It is therefore unimaginable that somebody will die while receiving a call," commission spokesman Reuben Muoka said.
"It is only very gullible people that will believe such a rumour."
Other messages that have caused panic in the past include claims that acid rain from seasonal dust storms can burn people alive, the AP news agency reports.
Poor education and superstitious beliefs lead some Nigerians to take the messages seriously, correspondents say
Ejisu Omanhene asks politicians to focus on development issue
Ejisu (Ash) GNA – The Omanhene (Paramount Chief) of Ejisu, Nana Afrane Okesse IV, has reminded government officials about the need to focus on bringing development to the people.
He said people in public office should always put the general good of the people ahead of their personal comfort and convenience, adding that it should not be lost on them the high expectations of those who voted them into power.
They could therefore not afford to disappoint them, Nana Okesse said when Mr Kwaku Afrifa Yamoah-Ponkor; Ejisu-Juaben Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), paid a courtesy call on him to officially introduce himself to the chief.
The Omanhene expressed the need for traditional leaders to get involved in the development programmes of the district assemblies.
He advised the MCE to ensure openness and transparency in the performance of his duties.
Mr Yamoah-Ponkor pledged to work hard to help transform the living conditions of the people in the Municipality, adding that, he would be fair and not discriminatory.
GNA
He said people in public office should always put the general good of the people ahead of their personal comfort and convenience, adding that it should not be lost on them the high expectations of those who voted them into power.
They could therefore not afford to disappoint them, Nana Okesse said when Mr Kwaku Afrifa Yamoah-Ponkor; Ejisu-Juaben Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), paid a courtesy call on him to officially introduce himself to the chief.
The Omanhene expressed the need for traditional leaders to get involved in the development programmes of the district assemblies.
He advised the MCE to ensure openness and transparency in the performance of his duties.
Mr Yamoah-Ponkor pledged to work hard to help transform the living conditions of the people in the Municipality, adding that, he would be fair and not discriminatory.
GNA
Ghana Government approves pre-funding arrangement for MMDAs
Accra, Sept. 15, GNA - President John Evans Atta-Mills has approved a pre-funding arrangement with some syndicated local banks for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDA) to ensure smooth operations and implementation of policies and programmes.
The pre-funding being spearheaded by National Investment Bank (NIB) would be in the form of a soft loan at low interest rates.
This arrangement would serve as a stop-gap within the three month statutory delay period for the disbursement of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), to enable the MMDAs operate effectively and efficiently, and re-imbursed the banks when the DACF funds were released.
Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development announced the arrangement when addressing the opening session of a Joint Decentralisation Sector Review Mission Validation workshop in Accra on Thursday.
The workshop was attended by representatives of MMDAs to validate a sector report on the performance of the effectiveness of local government process in Ghana presented by a local consultant and sponsored by the European Commission (EC).
He underscored the critical role of MMDAs in the decentralisation process to ensure that government policies and programmes were fully implemented at the local levels to effect the necessary change and ensure national development.
The Sector Minister indicated that to ensure their efficient operation, there was another arrangement for the MMDAs to have their own composite budget.
“Under this arrangement, MMDAs would now prepare their budgets stating their areas of focus for support and channelling them through the Chief Executives to Central Government.
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo explained that the MMDAs would now have the benefit of determining their priorities and focused areas for support than the past when Central Government determined development projects or programmes to be undertaken by the MMDAs.
He announced that the budget would now be decentralised, disbursed, monitored and evaluated at the MMDAs other than by the Central Government.
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said composite budgeting would not only ensure ownership by local assemblies, but strengthen monitoring and evaluation as accountability would be done at the MMDAs level.
He said it would also promote accountability and local involvement, as the budget of MMDAs would be announced in the mass media at the local community for public scrutiny.
“This would give true meaning to decentralisation, therefore government is working hard towards ensuring a definite conclusion to the arrangement for the process to begin from December 2012,” he added.
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo urged all MMDAs to hasten the drawing of their programmes and budgets for the ensuing year to be able to effectively access the loan facility.
He gave the assurance that government would put in place efforts to ensure sustainable support for implementation of decentralised policies and programmes.
Dr Esther Ofei-Aboagye, Director of Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS), commended the EC for the initiative which would serve as a check to the various MMDAs and enhance local governance at the Regional, District and local levels.
She explained that the consultant held several focus group discussions on the various thematic areas of local governance which included budgeting as a major area of concern.
“The validation of the report by participants is therefore to ensure local ownership,” she added.
Mr Ole Kragh, Consultant for the study recommended more capacity building for staff of MMDAs and strengthening of monitoring and evaluation of MMDAs programmes.
GNA
The pre-funding being spearheaded by National Investment Bank (NIB) would be in the form of a soft loan at low interest rates.
This arrangement would serve as a stop-gap within the three month statutory delay period for the disbursement of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), to enable the MMDAs operate effectively and efficiently, and re-imbursed the banks when the DACF funds were released.
Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development announced the arrangement when addressing the opening session of a Joint Decentralisation Sector Review Mission Validation workshop in Accra on Thursday.
The workshop was attended by representatives of MMDAs to validate a sector report on the performance of the effectiveness of local government process in Ghana presented by a local consultant and sponsored by the European Commission (EC).
He underscored the critical role of MMDAs in the decentralisation process to ensure that government policies and programmes were fully implemented at the local levels to effect the necessary change and ensure national development.
The Sector Minister indicated that to ensure their efficient operation, there was another arrangement for the MMDAs to have their own composite budget.
“Under this arrangement, MMDAs would now prepare their budgets stating their areas of focus for support and channelling them through the Chief Executives to Central Government.
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo explained that the MMDAs would now have the benefit of determining their priorities and focused areas for support than the past when Central Government determined development projects or programmes to be undertaken by the MMDAs.
He announced that the budget would now be decentralised, disbursed, monitored and evaluated at the MMDAs other than by the Central Government.
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said composite budgeting would not only ensure ownership by local assemblies, but strengthen monitoring and evaluation as accountability would be done at the MMDAs level.
He said it would also promote accountability and local involvement, as the budget of MMDAs would be announced in the mass media at the local community for public scrutiny.
“This would give true meaning to decentralisation, therefore government is working hard towards ensuring a definite conclusion to the arrangement for the process to begin from December 2012,” he added.
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo urged all MMDAs to hasten the drawing of their programmes and budgets for the ensuing year to be able to effectively access the loan facility.
He gave the assurance that government would put in place efforts to ensure sustainable support for implementation of decentralised policies and programmes.
Dr Esther Ofei-Aboagye, Director of Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS), commended the EC for the initiative which would serve as a check to the various MMDAs and enhance local governance at the Regional, District and local levels.
She explained that the consultant held several focus group discussions on the various thematic areas of local governance which included budgeting as a major area of concern.
“The validation of the report by participants is therefore to ensure local ownership,” she added.
Mr Ole Kragh, Consultant for the study recommended more capacity building for staff of MMDAs and strengthening of monitoring and evaluation of MMDAs programmes.
GNA
Rogue trader weeps over $2b loss
LONDON: A tearful Kweku Adoboli, the alleged rogue trader at the centre of a $US2 billion ($1.93 billion) loss at Swiss bank UBS, has appeared in a London court facing charges of fraud and false accounting dating back to 2008.
A clerk at the City of London Magistrates' Court handed the 31-year-old Ghanaian a tissue as the 15-minute proceedings began, after which the one-time star trader was led away in handcuffs to remain in custody until a bail hearing on Thursday.
The timescale of the allegations will raise questions about risk-management procedures at the bank, put intense pressure on the chief executive, Oswald Grubel, and support calls from some Swiss politicians for the bank to leave its investment-banking business, putting thousands of London jobs at risk.
Many UBS bankers already fear for their year-end bonuses.
Smiling at times, Mr Adoboli spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth in court.
The Swiss bank refused to add to the statement it issued on Thursday, when it revealed it had called City of London Police at 1am to investigate Mr Adoboli after uncovering ''unauthorised trading''.
British-educated Mr Adoboli - whose Ghanaian passport spells his name as Kwaku - joined UBS in 2006 and was a member of the so-called Delta One trading desk where, among other things, he traded exchange-traded funds, known as ETFs.
These complex financial instruments, about which regulators warned earlier this year, are structured to mimic market movements.
Two charges allege Mr Adoboli falsified records of ETFs for personal gain or with intent to cause loss to another between October 2008 and December 2009 and then January 2010 and this month.
A third charge alleges he committed fraud between January this year and this month while he was a senior trader in global synthetic equities.
His lawyers did not issue a statement or enter pleas to the charges.
City of London Police, who arrested Mr Adoboli at his home on the edge of the City at 3.30am on Thursday, said their investigation was continuing, in ''close collaboration'' with the Financial Services Authority, the Serious Fraud Office and the Crown Prosecution Service.
The bank, which employs 6000 staff in London, will have to pay for a detailed investigation being launched by the FSA and the Swiss regulator, Finma, into the control systems at UBS, the failures that permitted the losses to occur and details of the unauthorised trading.
The timing of the discovery of what UBS has described as ''unauthorised trading'' has mesmerised the City, as it coincided with the third anniversary of the collapse of Lehman Brothers.
Swiss politicians are seizing on the scandal to press the case for new banking laws.
''It shows that investment banking is a high-risk field and it's important that we clearly separate systemically important functions from the rest of the banking business,'' Caspar Baader, of the Swiss People's Party, said.
Standard & Poor's placed the bank on its CreditWatch list, citing the ''setback to UBS's efforts to rebuild its reputation … following its weak performance in 2007-09''.
Guardian News & Media
Monday, September 12, 2011
Kenya fire: Nairobi pipeline blaze 'kills at least 75'
Scores of people have died after a petrol pipeline explosion and fire in Kenya's capital, Nairobi.
The blast took place in the city's Lunga Lunga industrial area, and police and troops cordoned off the area as firefighters battled fierce flames in the surrounding shanty town.
A Red Cross official, Pamela Indiaka, said at least 75 bodies had been recovered. Some reports put the toll at more than 100 dead.
More than 110 people were injured.
The pipeline runs through the densely populated Sinai slum area between Nairobi's city centre and the airport.
'Parts of bodies'
Reports suggest the blast may have been sparked by a cigarette butt being thrown into an open sewer that was filling with fuel.
The fuel had leaked into a storm drain from the Nairobi-Mombasa pipeline, the Kenya Pipeline Company said in a statement.
Residents said the spill had prompted many people to rush and collect leaking fuel.
Parts of bodies littered the remains of burning shacks for some 300m (1,000ft) around the site of the blast, locals said.
Some of the shacks were built on top of the pipeline, residents say.
"Then there was a loud bang, a big explosion, and smoke and fire burst up high," resident Joseph Mwego told Agence France-Presse.
Bodies were also seen floating in a nearby river, into which burns victims had reportedly leapt after catching fire.
TV images showed survivors staggering around in a daze, with skin peeling off their faces and arms, and schoolchildren running in all directions.
One of the survivors, Jane Mumbua, said many people were close to the pipeline at the time of the blast.
"I just heard a big blast and that's when I started seeing people on fire. All around me there was fire," she said.
Gadhafi's son al-Saadi flees to Niger
NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — A convoy carrying ousted Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's son al-Saadi has crossed into neighboring Niger, a spokesman for Niger's government said Sunday, one of the highest-profile former regime figure to flee to the landlocked African nation.
Al-Saadi, the fugitive ruler's 37-year-old son, entered Niger in a convoy with nine other people, said Niger Justice Minister Amadou Morou. The vehicles were traveling south toward the outpost of Agadez, where other fleeing Libyan loyalists are believed to be holed up in a hotel.
"I wish to announce that one of Gadhafi's sons — al-Saadi Gadhafi — was intercepted in the north of Niger by a patrol of the Nigerien military," Morou told reporters late Sunday.
He said al-Saadi "has no status at all" in Niger, indicating that he has not been granted refugee status, which would guarantees him certain rights.
Since last week, several convoys carrying senior officials of the former Libyan regime as well as civilians and soldiers have made their way across the porous desert border into Niger. Among them were several of Gadhafi's top military officers, including his chief of security and the head of his southern command.
Niger has faced increasing scrutiny for allowing the former regime members onto its soil, and al-Saadi's arrival will likely intensify international pressure on the country to cooperate with Libya's new rulers. They want all Gadhafi's sons — and Gadhafi himself, who is on the run — to be turned over for trial.
Last week, the U.S. urged Niger to detain any individuals who may be subject to prosecution in Libya, as well as to confiscate their weapons and impound any state property, such as money or jewels, that were illegally taken out of the country.
While some senior former regime officials have managed to escape, Libya's new leaders have arrested several former high ranking regime officials since then-rebel fighters swept into Tripoli on Aug. 21, effectively bring an end to Gadhafi's nearly 42-year rule.
On Sunday, anti-Gadhafi forces in Tripoli captured the former head of the regime's external intelligence service, Abu Zayd Dourda, said Anes Sharif, a spokesman for Tripoli's military council. A longtime Gadhafi insider, Dourda also served as prime minister in the 1990s.
As Libya's new leaders move to exert their authority in Tripoli, forces loyal to Gadhafi continue to hold out in three strongholds — Sirte on the Mediterranean coast, Sabha in the southern desert, and Bani Walid southeast of Tripoli.
Revolutionary forces battled their way back into Bani Walid Sunday, seizing control of the northern half of the town and fighting supporters of the fugitive dictator in the town center.
After a week of efforts to negotiate a peaceful surrender of Bani Walid, anti-regime fighters launched a two-pronged assault on the town that soon dissolved into street fighting. But Gadhafi supporters have put up fierce resistance, and forced former rebels to retreat Saturday amid a barrage of rocket and mortar fire.
Libyan fighters pushed back into the town Sunday, a day after retreating under heavy fire, said fighter Sobhi Warfali. He said revolutionary forces now control the northern half of the town and were battling regime loyalists in the center.
Resident Khalifa al-Talisi said "the rebels don't control the center yet, but everything from the city center to this (northern) side is liberated."
Around a mile (kilometer and a half) from the town center, a cluster of abandoned houses in the desert showed signs of fierce fighting. The charred hulk of a car stood in front of a still-burning home that sent plumes of black smoke into the air.
Single gunshots, which appeared to be from snipers, occasionally echoed across the dusty town, and the thud of mortar fire shook the ground.
"The Gadhafi loyalists are throwing mortars and snipers are shooting at us from the center of the city," said Abdul-Bari al-Mitag, a 23-year-old fighter returning from the front line.
Abdullah Kenshil, a negotiator for the former rebels, said loyalist forces that withdrew from several cities after the fall of Tripoli have regrouped in Bani Walid.
"For them, it is a matter of life or death," he said. "They don't care if residents are killed in the middle."
Kenshil also said Gadhafi forces killed two tribal leaders who had taken part in talks to end the standoff peacefully. That could not be independently verified. Despite the bloodshed, Kenshil said, "the door for peace is still open."
NATO, which has played a key role in hitting Gadhafi's forces over the six-month civil war, said Sunday that its warplanes hit a series of targets near Bani Walid a day earlier — a tank, two armed vehicles and one multiple rocket launcher. Airstrikes also pounded targets around Gadhafi's hometown of Sirte, and the towns of Waddan and Sabha in the southern desert.
Libya's new leaders have also been trying to broker a deal for the surrender of Sirte, Gadhafi's hometown. But a deadline for the town's surrender expired Saturday, and a revolutionary commander taking part in the negotiations, Mustafa al-Rubaie, said "now all options are open."
Libyan fighters have advanced to within 20 miles (30 kilometers) west of Sirte, and in the east as far as the town of Harawa, some 35 miles (50 kilometers) from the city, according to al-Rubaie.
He said fighters from Harawa will lead the force into Sirte "because they are from the city and they are part of the Sirte people."
"I think it will not be a 100 percent peaceful takeover of Sirte. There will be pockets of loyalists," he said. "In general, the people of Sirte are all armed with light weapons, even youngsters."
Al-Rubaie said that over the past months, Gadhafi's forces which fled from all the eastern cities and from Misrata are all now concentrating in Sirte.
"We know that they are not going to give up easily," he said. "For them, it will be a matter of life or death."
In Tripoli, acting Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril said Libya's new leaders are making efforts to pay government salaries on time and would add unspecified bonuses to August salaries.
Jibril also said oil production has resumed at one field in Libya's east. He did not say which field, how much oil is being produced or when oil and gas exports, which were halted during the war, are expected to resume.
Jibril said the former rebels have received more than $800 million dollars in Gadhafi-era frozen assets from Britain and were waiting for another payment of more than $500 million in the near future.
Al-Saadi, the fugitive ruler's 37-year-old son, entered Niger in a convoy with nine other people, said Niger Justice Minister Amadou Morou. The vehicles were traveling south toward the outpost of Agadez, where other fleeing Libyan loyalists are believed to be holed up in a hotel.
"I wish to announce that one of Gadhafi's sons — al-Saadi Gadhafi — was intercepted in the north of Niger by a patrol of the Nigerien military," Morou told reporters late Sunday.
He said al-Saadi "has no status at all" in Niger, indicating that he has not been granted refugee status, which would guarantees him certain rights.
Since last week, several convoys carrying senior officials of the former Libyan regime as well as civilians and soldiers have made their way across the porous desert border into Niger. Among them were several of Gadhafi's top military officers, including his chief of security and the head of his southern command.
Niger has faced increasing scrutiny for allowing the former regime members onto its soil, and al-Saadi's arrival will likely intensify international pressure on the country to cooperate with Libya's new rulers. They want all Gadhafi's sons — and Gadhafi himself, who is on the run — to be turned over for trial.
Last week, the U.S. urged Niger to detain any individuals who may be subject to prosecution in Libya, as well as to confiscate their weapons and impound any state property, such as money or jewels, that were illegally taken out of the country.
While some senior former regime officials have managed to escape, Libya's new leaders have arrested several former high ranking regime officials since then-rebel fighters swept into Tripoli on Aug. 21, effectively bring an end to Gadhafi's nearly 42-year rule.
On Sunday, anti-Gadhafi forces in Tripoli captured the former head of the regime's external intelligence service, Abu Zayd Dourda, said Anes Sharif, a spokesman for Tripoli's military council. A longtime Gadhafi insider, Dourda also served as prime minister in the 1990s.
As Libya's new leaders move to exert their authority in Tripoli, forces loyal to Gadhafi continue to hold out in three strongholds — Sirte on the Mediterranean coast, Sabha in the southern desert, and Bani Walid southeast of Tripoli.
Revolutionary forces battled their way back into Bani Walid Sunday, seizing control of the northern half of the town and fighting supporters of the fugitive dictator in the town center.
After a week of efforts to negotiate a peaceful surrender of Bani Walid, anti-regime fighters launched a two-pronged assault on the town that soon dissolved into street fighting. But Gadhafi supporters have put up fierce resistance, and forced former rebels to retreat Saturday amid a barrage of rocket and mortar fire.
Libyan fighters pushed back into the town Sunday, a day after retreating under heavy fire, said fighter Sobhi Warfali. He said revolutionary forces now control the northern half of the town and were battling regime loyalists in the center.
Resident Khalifa al-Talisi said "the rebels don't control the center yet, but everything from the city center to this (northern) side is liberated."
Around a mile (kilometer and a half) from the town center, a cluster of abandoned houses in the desert showed signs of fierce fighting. The charred hulk of a car stood in front of a still-burning home that sent plumes of black smoke into the air.
Single gunshots, which appeared to be from snipers, occasionally echoed across the dusty town, and the thud of mortar fire shook the ground.
"The Gadhafi loyalists are throwing mortars and snipers are shooting at us from the center of the city," said Abdul-Bari al-Mitag, a 23-year-old fighter returning from the front line.
Abdullah Kenshil, a negotiator for the former rebels, said loyalist forces that withdrew from several cities after the fall of Tripoli have regrouped in Bani Walid.
"For them, it is a matter of life or death," he said. "They don't care if residents are killed in the middle."
Kenshil also said Gadhafi forces killed two tribal leaders who had taken part in talks to end the standoff peacefully. That could not be independently verified. Despite the bloodshed, Kenshil said, "the door for peace is still open."
NATO, which has played a key role in hitting Gadhafi's forces over the six-month civil war, said Sunday that its warplanes hit a series of targets near Bani Walid a day earlier — a tank, two armed vehicles and one multiple rocket launcher. Airstrikes also pounded targets around Gadhafi's hometown of Sirte, and the towns of Waddan and Sabha in the southern desert.
Libya's new leaders have also been trying to broker a deal for the surrender of Sirte, Gadhafi's hometown. But a deadline for the town's surrender expired Saturday, and a revolutionary commander taking part in the negotiations, Mustafa al-Rubaie, said "now all options are open."
Libyan fighters have advanced to within 20 miles (30 kilometers) west of Sirte, and in the east as far as the town of Harawa, some 35 miles (50 kilometers) from the city, according to al-Rubaie.
He said fighters from Harawa will lead the force into Sirte "because they are from the city and they are part of the Sirte people."
"I think it will not be a 100 percent peaceful takeover of Sirte. There will be pockets of loyalists," he said. "In general, the people of Sirte are all armed with light weapons, even youngsters."
Al-Rubaie said that over the past months, Gadhafi's forces which fled from all the eastern cities and from Misrata are all now concentrating in Sirte.
"We know that they are not going to give up easily," he said. "For them, it will be a matter of life or death."
In Tripoli, acting Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril said Libya's new leaders are making efforts to pay government salaries on time and would add unspecified bonuses to August salaries.
Jibril also said oil production has resumed at one field in Libya's east. He did not say which field, how much oil is being produced or when oil and gas exports, which were halted during the war, are expected to resume.
Jibril said the former rebels have received more than $800 million dollars in Gadhafi-era frozen assets from Britain and were waiting for another payment of more than $500 million in the near future.
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