RT @AP: The Gadhafi regime's spokesman tells @AP Gadhafi is still in #Libya, offering to negotiate with the rebels: apne.ws/idMWwt -CJ
IPOLI, Libya (AP) -- Rebel fighters pushed increasingly leaderless regime gunmen to the outskirts of Tripoli on Saturday, as severe shortages of fuel, water and electricity paralyzed the battle-scarred capital and the stench of growing piles garbage filled the air.
In a call to The Associated Press, the regime's spokesman said Moammar Gadhafi is still in Libya.
The rebels, who now control most of Libya, said they are preparing for an assault on Gadhafi's hometown of Sirte, his last major bastion, if negotiations with tribal leaders there fail. Rebels deployed in Bin Jawad, a town about 100 miles (150 kilometers) east of Sirte, said they are waiting for NATO to bomb Scud missile launchers and possible weapons warehouses there.
Earlier this month, two Scuds were fired from near Sirte, a first in Libya's 6-month-old civil war.
"What we fear most is chemical weapons and the long-range missiles," said Fadl-Allah Haroun, a rebel commander. Once NATO has cleared the path, rebels will advance toward Sirte, he said.
Gadhafi's whereabouts are unknown, but there has been speculation he may have sought refuge in his tribal area.
Moussa Ibrahim, Gadhafi's chief spokesman, called AP headquarters in New York late Saturday and said Gadhafi is offering to negotiate with the rebels to form a transitional government. In the past, Gadhafi referred to the rebels as "thugs" and "rats."
Ibrahim, identified by his voice, said Gadhafi appointed his son al-Saadi to head the negotiations.
