Anti-Gaddafi forces outside Bani Walid, one of the few towns in Libya still loyal to the fugitive leader.Lib yan 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 told the BBC 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.
The National Transitional Council (NTC) said he had died in fighting close to Tripoli and was buried near Bani Walid. Muhammad, the son of former spy chief Abdullah Senussi, was also killed, it said.
No further details of the deaths were provided and Khamis's death has been reported on at least two other occasions during the uprising.
Bani Walid, 150km (95 miles) 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".
Family members
Anti-Gaddafi fighters have moved on Bani Walid from three sides.
The negotiator, Abdullah Kenchil, said talks with the Gaddafi side had failed and would not resume, adding: "I am leaving the military commander to resolve the problem."
He said the loyalists had wanted the anti-Gaddafi forces to enter the town unarmed.Some reports say negotiations will continue within the town, among tribal elders, and that a military attack is not necessarily imminent.
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