Libyan interim government forces who have surrounded the Gaddafi-held desert town of Bani Walid say their talks with the loyalist side have failed. One key anti-Gaddafi negotiator says the civilians in the town could not move and he feared they may be shot in revenge or used as human shields. He said he had now handed over the matter to military commanders. The interim government also says it is now sure Col Gaddafi's son, Khamis, has been killed. Bani Walid, 150 kilometres south-east of Tripoli, is one of four towns and cities – the others are Jufra, Sabha and Col Gaddafi's birthplace in Sirte – that are still controlled by Gaddafi forces. NTC chairman Mustafa Abdel Jalil said the pro-Gaddafi bastions were being given humanitarian aid and time to surrender “to avoid further bloodshed”.