- Title: LIBYA: Rebel recruits in Ajdabiya prepare for the frontline in Libyan civil war
- Date: 19th May 2011
- Summary: AJDABIYA, LIBYA (MAY 18, 2011) (REUTERS) AJDABIYA TRAINED BRIGADE VARIOUS OF NEWLY GRADUATED BRIGADE POSTER ON HOOD OF PICK-UP TRUCK READING: 'THE PEOPLE CREATE THE REVOLUTION' BRIGADE TRAINER AND BRIGADE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MOHAMMAD KWAIL FROM BENGHAZI, A MEMBER OF THE FEBRUARY 17TH REVOLUTION AND TRAINER OF AJDABIYA BRIGADE, SAYING: "We ask God almighty to keep them safe, we are now carrying out a march in order to prepare them physically and so that they can build up their endurance." BRIGADE MARCHING BRIGADE ACCOMPANIED BY REBEL PICK-UP TRUCKS LOADED WITH WEAPONS VARIOUS OF BRIGADE SINGING AND MARCHING WESTERN GATE IN AJDABIYA - THE FURTHEST CIVILIANS AND JOURNALISTS ARE ALLOWED TO GO TOWARDS THE WEST REBEL CARS DRIVING HEADING TO FRONT LINE AT 40 KILOMETRES DOWN THE ROAD BETWEEN AJDABIYA AND BREGA REBELS AT GATE REBEL VEHICLES CROSSING
- Embargoed: 3rd June 2011 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Libya
- City:
- Country: Libya
- Topics: War / Fighting
- Reuters ID: LVA4GNJQISPQ6ONWPUJE5NDPQWX4
- Aspect Ratio:
- Story Text: The newly formed Ajdabiya Brigade trained for war on Wednesday (May 18). Dressed in an assortment of military fatigues and civilian clothing, the recruits will soon be sent to the frontline to join Libyan rebel forces battling to defeat the better armed forces fighting for Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi.
"We ask God almighty to keep them safe, we are now carrying out a march in order to prepare them physically and so that they can build up their endurance," said rebel trainer, Mohammad Kwail, as the recruits set out on an 18 kilometre march.
A few dozen rebel pick-up trucks drove through the western gate at Ajdabiya towards the frontline which currently is around 40 kilometres along the road leading to Brega, 80 kilometres away from Ajdabiya and the closest point at which the Gaddafi forces stand.
In eastern Libya, rebels hold Benghazi and a swathe of oil-producing territory, helped by a NATO bombing campaign authorised at the United Nations to protect civilians opposed to Gaddafi. But a military victory for the rebels seems a distant prospect and many pin their hopes on a collapse of central power in Tripoli driven by disaffection and defections. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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