Libyan revolutionary fighters were struggling to regroup outside the loyalist stronghold of Bani Walid today after being driven back by fierce resistance from followers of Muammar Gaddafi.

There were no signs today of anti-Gaddafi forces mobilising for another assault on the mountain enclave, about 140km south-east of the capital, Tripoli.

The fighters withdrew yesterday after facing sniper fire and shelling from loyalist units holding strategic positions above the valley entrance to the town.

Meanwhile, more families fled Bani Walid.

The fighting coincided with another revolutionary offensive into Gaddafi's home town, Sirte, on the Mediterranean coast, where there were stiff counter-attacks by backers of the old regime.

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