Two sons of fugitive leader Moamer Gaddafi are holed up in cities that are still besieged by the revolutionary forces in the North African nation, Libyan rebels said Wednesday, DPA reported.
Gaddafi's son, Seif al-Islam, is in Bani Walid and his another son, Muatassim, is in Sirte, according to Ahmed Bani, the military spokesman for the Transitional National Council, which has been running Libya's affairs since its fighters overran Gaddafi's regime.
Bani said he couldn't confirm any information about Gaddafi's whereabouts.
Seif al-Islam's last known public appearance was on August 23 in Tripoli. Like his father, he has been charged by the International Criminal Court with crimes against humanity since the outbreak of the Libyan revolution in February.
Bani offered no evidence of the men's whereabouts and did not provide further details.
Bani's remarks at a press conference in Tripoli were the first time the rebel forces have said they know the location of the two sons since they fled Tripoli in August.
Bani, stressed that the focus is now to consolidate control over the entire country and the hunt for Gaddafi would go on after all cities were secured.
"Gaddafi's whereabouts now is not our priority, but what we are working on is to liberate the Libyan soil and secure the liberated cities," Bani said.
The rebel forces have been confronted with fierce fighting by Gaddafi loyalists in Bani Walid and Sirte over the past two weeks.
Earlier, the pro-rebel Free Libya TV said rebel commander Daw al-Salheen was killed in an attack by Gaddafi loyalists on the northern front of the unruly town of Bani Walid.
Al-Salheen was killed Tuesday night when a rocket was fired at his car as he drove to an area where fighting was taking place near his hometown, Bani Walid, according to the report.
He had been jailed for 18 years by the Gaddafi government and was released in February.
Meanwhile, street fight continued Wednesday between rebels and Gaddafi loyalists in the coastal town of Sirte, killing at least 12 rebels.
According to the Doha-based al Jazeera network the rebels were advancing deeper into the town, as NATO targeted po-Gaddafi forces with intense strikes.
Massive military reinforcements have been rushed to support the rebels' campaign in Sirte.
The rebels have said they are in control of the town's airport and port.