Gadhafi open to Libya power transfer

A spokesman for Moammar Gadhafisaysthe deposed Libyan leaderis willing to take part in a transfer of powera sharp contrast to earlier promises that he would fight until victory or death.

Chief spokesman Moussa Ibrahimsaid Sundaythe Libyan leader is still in Libya and thatone of his sons, al-Saadi, could lead talks on a transitional government.Gadhafi's whereabouts are still unknown, however, andanti-Gadhafi forcesgreeted theannouncement with skepticism, sayingthe leaderhas lied before.

While there is no sign of Gadhafi, there are reports that fighters with the National Transitional Council (NTC) are closing in on his hometown of Sirte from both the east and west of the city.

The commander of the anti-Gadhafi forces, Mohammed al-Fortiya, told Agence France-Presse that his troops on Sunday took control of the town of Bin Jawad, 100 kilometres to the east of Sirte.

Anti-Gadhafi forces say supplies coming to Tripoli

Meanwhile, the Libyan opposition says supplies of food, water and fuel will begin arriving in the capital Tripoli on Sunday as they consolidate power in the capital.

People in the capital are struggling with severe shortages of fuel, water, and electricity. Libyan officials said on Sunday they hope to restart production at the Zawiya oil refinery as soon as possible to alleviate severe fuel shortages in the country.

Fuel prices in Libya have skyrocketed since the conflict broke out last February between forces loyal to Gadhafi and rebels who now control much of the country.

Mohammed Aziz, operations manager at the Zawiya refinery, some 50 kilometres west of Tripoli, said the facility was getting ready to restart production on Monday. He said the capacity of the refinery was 120,000 barrels a day before the fighting started, but it had fallen to 60,000 barrels a day during the conflict.