docs.google.com The below article is by Mustafa Fetouri, an independent Libyan Academic and journalist. Winner of EU's Samir Kassir award for the freedom of the press in 2010. Save Bani Walid to Save Libya www.middle-east-online.com While mediation efforts are still going on, it's the last chance for the GNC to act wisely and correct itself by first annual its notorious decision and immediately activate the long overdue national reconciliation process, insists Mustafa Fetouri. Middle East Online The siege of Bani Walid, 180 km, south west of Tripoli has been in place for nearly two weeks now. It was publically authorized, encouraged and approved by Libya's newly elected General National Conference GNC. Reports from inside the city speak of increasingly depleted supplies of food, water, and other necessities. Sporadic indiscriminate rocket bombardments are daily routine especially round the east of the city. Al-Mardoum valley, the closest to the front line have so been under daily fire killing five civilians and injuring a dozen so far. Libyan rights groups joined hands their international counterparts in condemning the siege calling on the Libyan authority to lift it immediately. Amnesty International in particular has been at the forefront of calls to lift the siege and allow supplies to enter the city as well as free movement of people into and out of the Bani Walid. Home to Libya's largest tribe Bani Walid has been the safest cities in Libya since the war ended last ...