Arrai TV reported that Gaddafi's son was killed in action.

According to Reuters and Xinhua, the Syria-based Arrai TV channel, which specializes in broadcasting messages from deposed Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and his spokesman, confirmed on October 17 that Gaddafi's son Khamis was killed in fighting in the southeast of the capital Tripoli on August 29.

Khamis commanded an elite brigade and his death marks the most prominent loss of pro-Gaddafi forces since the uprising that ended Gaddafi's 42-year rule began.

Arrai TV channel reported the death of Khamis along with his nephew Mohammed Abdullah al-Senousi, Gaddafi's intelligence chief, saying they were killed in a battle with National Transitional Council (NTC) forces in the city of Tarhouna, 90km southeast of Tripoli.

In another development, NTC spokesman Mahmoud Tawfiq on the southern front said on October 16 that Bani Walid, one of Gaddafi's two remaining strongholds, had been "liberated."

According to Mr. Tawfiq, NTC fighters will "regroup" on October 17 after entering the city from three directions. Earlier, there were reports that the NTC flag had been raised in Bani Walid.

In the city of Sirte, NTC soldiers had to withdraw from some positions to allow NATO to bomb hiding places of forces loyal to Mr Gaddafi.

A few days ago, an NTC commander announced the capture of Gaddafi's other son, Mutassim, but the NTC itself later denied this information.

The whereabouts of Mr. Gaddafi and his eldest son Seif al-Islam are still unknown, while his wife and several other children have fled to Algeria and Niger./.

(According to Vietnam+)