Militias surround pro-Gaddafi town

Libyan militias operating alongside the defence ministry readied their forces to advance on a town that remains a bastion of support for the ousted regime of Muammar Gaddafi, stoking fears of an impending battle that has already sent dozens of families fleeing.

Bani Walid is one of the last major pockets of support for the former regime, and disarming its militants is one of the most daunting tasks facing the government.