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Latest update: 28/04/2011
- Libya - military - NATO
From the front line: Libya's rebel army gains confidence
With bulletproof vests, air cover from NATO, and a new name and logo, Libya’s rebel army is gaining confidence. Our special correspondents on the front line explain how the ragtag rebel army is turning professional.
In the western Libyan town of Ajdabiyah, the dusty streets are still empty more than two weeks after the locals fled. Just an hour away, Gaddafi’s forces lie in wait. This is the frontline between the rebels and the regime army.
The rebels are preparing to push west, toward the oil city of Brega. They have a bold new name – the Free Libyan Forces – and a new logo.
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“I'm a soldier,” shouts one of the insurgents, holding up his red arm band defiantly. “I'm part of the army!”
While their weapons haven’t changed, these fighters are now equipped with bulletproof vests and are laying down strict military orders. “Journalists aren't allowed beyond that point over there,” one of the soldiers tells our reporters on the road toward Brega. “That’s what it says on the sign.” Civilians are stopped, too.
Just a few weeks ago, a large part of the same army resembled a sloppy volunteer group. “The rebel army was really disorganised,” says Allah, one of the soldiers with previous military training. "Everyone did what they liked. But now there is a structure and they work with the national security council.”
The rebels say that coordination with NATO has improved in the past few weeks. On the frontline, the mission is to locate the enemy. “We try to locate tanks and pass the information on to NATO,” explains the chief of operations, Hamid el Hassi. “Then NATO decides whether to carry out an airstrike or to set up an ambush."
The rebels say that with a combination of better organisation on the ground and continuing air cover by NATO, they will be able to advance toward Brega in the coming days.
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Comments (8)
Well, they are still in
Well, they are still in Ajdabiya, that is nothing and show no gain of land......
Believe it or not, after these guys kissed Nato's feet to come and kill their people in western part of Libya, they will never win anything and will loose support of Libyans.
Their case was very strong at beginning but then showed their desire of power and money, it became very negative and against them.
Myself as normal Libyan was support of change and better life but now I will pray GOD to have ten Qaddafi and not these guys,,,,
Thanks
THE RATE OF SCAMMING IS INCREASING RAMPAMTLY
THE INTERPOLE SEND TO CAMEROON TO PREVENT THE RATE OF SCAMMING HAS INSTIL JION THE YOUNG SCAMMERS THEY DONOT DO THEIR JOBS AS SEND SO I LIKE A DIFFERENT MEASURE TO BE PUT IN PLACE
GO FREE LIBYA
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH THE GAME IS OVER,THANK YOU COALITION,FREE LIBYA IS GOOD.GADDAFI NO MORE WEAPONS,FINISH OR NOT FINISH.YOU BETTER YOU SURENDER MY SADIK GADAFI.YOU ARE THE NEXT SADDAM HUSSIEN HUNG IN THE STREET.GADAFI YOU ARE TERORIST.PAM AMERICAN PLANE.BOMB BY LIBYANS.THIS IS TIME THE FAMILY OF THE VICTIM.THAT LOCKER BOMB THE PLANE,THE INTERNATIONAL IS UNITED.BECAUSE OF VICTIM OF TERROR BY GADAFI.
GO FREE LIBYA
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH THE GAME IS OVER,THANK YOU COALITION,FREE LIBYA IS GOOD.GADDAFI NO MORE WEAPONS,FINISH OR NOT FINISH.YOU BETTER YOU SURENDER MY SADIK GADAFI.YOU ARE THE NEXT SADDAM HUSSIEN HUNG IN THE STREET.GADAFI YOU ARE TERORIST.PAM AMERICAN PLANE.BOMB BY LIBYANS.THIS IS TIME THE FAMILY OF THE VICTIM.THAT LOCKER BOMB THE PLANE,THE INTERNATIONAL IS UNITED.BECAUSE OF VICTIM OF TERROR BY GADAFI.
Lybie
Comment pouvez vous dire autant de betises ? Vous n avez pas honte ? La France avait un prestige et maintenant nous sommes au meme rang que les americains qui se prennent toujours pour des redresseurs de tort. Ces gens voulaient faire leur revolution et maintenant ? Cela ne nous regardait pas... a moins que l on veuille leur piquer leur petrole !!! Y avait moins de morts avec Kadafhi.
an unfair dissadvantage
what is a rebel? and what is insurgent? or what dissident I think in all these terms have an anti-Government meaning in them. A group of people who have been Labeled as such, have a tendency of wanting to remove any democratically elected( so they say ) Government. And as such, they should be condemned in a strongest terms and I beleive the UN has some Clause to that effect. what puzzel me most is that the safeGuarders of Democracy in the world are actually supporting the rebels in Libya and denouncing Insrgance in Afganstan so whose purpose are we serving here should we rewrite the Dictionary to suite some certain corners of the world
Libya's rebel army gains confidence...
well reported. thank you. fight on freedom-fighters.
advese the problem in LIBYA
I advese the PRESDENT GADDAFI TO LIVE THE PRESDENSHAL POST TO THE OTHERS CITESELIBYAN BECOUSE IS A CRETICAL PERSENT FOR ME I DONT LIKE HIM HE CREAT MANY TROBLE IN OUR AFRICA.GADDAFI IS A FANATIC PERSON IS BETER HE LIVE THE PLASE BECOUSE HE STAYED FOR SO LONG YEARS TEHRE IS NO WAY AGAIN BETER HE LIVE IN PEACE AND LOVE.THANK YOU
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