The men gathered to speak in a mosque in Bani Walid in a meeting aired live by Al Jazeera television today. The rebels said they came in peace and would respect law and order. They outlined plans to restore water supplies and electricity. The tribal elders said more than 90 percent of Bani Walid residents want the peaceful entry of NTC fighters.

The councils forces said yesterday that Muammar Gaddafis loyalists tried to prevent Bani Walids handover because they feared arrest and execution for their part in his governments crimes. A loyalist convoy fled to Niger late yesterday, Salley Kolle, a police officer in the Nigerien town of Agadez, said today by phone. Nigers Nomade FM radio said Qaddafi intelligence chief Mansour Daw was among them.

Since rebels took control of Tripoli in late August, transitional authorities have been trying to restore stability, consolidate military gains and capture Gaddafi. More than six months of fighting to end the Libyan leaders 42-year rule have reduced oil production and disrupted power supplies in the country with Africas largest crude reserves.