Libyan rebels have reduced the intensity of Saturday's military offensive on the bastion of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, in the city of Sirte, in northern Libya; whilst also continuing their progress in taking control of the northwesterly sector of Beni Walid, the second outpost of Gaddafi´s regime. Sources close to the Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC) have stated that the rebel fighters have slowed down their offensive on Sirte in order to allow the civilians in Gaddafi´s hometown, who have been caught in the cross-fire, a safe passage out of the city. The same source also said that the 400 pro-Gaddafi soldiers, who are still settled in Sirte, remain in possession of heavy weapons, snipers and rockets.
It is a much needed consideration on the part of the rebels to allow the civilians, innocent members of Libyan society not necessarily fighting on one side or the other, to leave their homes and to get away from the line of battle. A much more pragmatic and less violent option, although eveidently wars are not about being as such, is for the rebels to call a ceasefire and allow the pro-Gaddafi supporters to withdraw from the town peacefully, abandon the cause and give up their arms, thus avoiding the need for innocent citizens to be expelled from the homes, businneses and livelihoods for the sake of capturing or killing a few more pro-Gaddafi supporters.
The ceasefire by the rebels should involve the withdrawal of the pro-Gaddafi soldiers, who should abandon the cause and stop using force.
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