Libyan Conflict - Photos and Videos

[Steak-Sauce]

But I don't know why it would be pointed upward...

Looks like an auxiliary howitzer to me.

[He219]

A Libyan government helicopter flies over before attacking rebel forces on the frontline on March 6, 2011 near Ben Jawat, Libya. Rebels lost territory as troops loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi pushed them back to the town of Ras Lanuf.

Rebel fighters jump away from shrapnel during heavy shelling by forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi near Bin Jawad, March 6, 2011. Rebels in east Libya regrouped on Sunday and advanced on Bin Jawad after forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi ambushed rebel fighters and ejected them from the town earlier in the day.

Rebel fighters run for cover during heavy shelling by forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi near Bin Jawad, March 6, 2011.

Anti-Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi rebels, walk forward as smoke raises from mortar and tanks shelling during a fighting against pro-Gadhafi fighters near the town of Bin-Jawad, eastern Libya, Sunday, March 6, 2011. Libyan helicopter gunships fired on a rebel force advancing west toward the capital along the Mediterranean coastline Sunday and forces loyal to leader Moammar Gadhafi fought intense ground battles with the rival fighters.

Libyan rebels retreat as government bombs explode around them on the frontline on March 6, 2011 near Ben Jawat, Libya. Rebels lost territory as forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi pushed them back to the town of Ras Lanuf.

Libyan rebels retreat from the frontline with government troops on March 6, 2011 near Ben Jawat, Libya. Rebels lost territory as forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi pushed them back to the town of Ras Lanuf.

Smoke raises from a military army base which fell to the anti-Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi rebels following an air strike by Libyan warplanes that attacked in the oil town of Ras Lanouf, eastern Libya, Sunday, March 6, 2011. The anti-Gadhafi rebels fared better elsewhere, capturing the key oil port of Ras Lanouf from regime forces on Friday night, their first military victory in a potentially long and arduous westward march from the east of the country to Tripoli.

Anti-Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi rebels, fire multiple launcher rockets during a fighting against pro-Gadhafi fighters near the town of Bin Jawad, eastern Libya, Sunday, March 6, 2011. Libyan helicopter gunships fired on a rebel force advancing west toward the capital Tripoli along the country's Mediterranean coastline Sunday and forces loyal to leader Moammar Gadhafi fought intense ground battles with the rival fighters.

A Libyan rebel fighter scans the sky as a fighter jet flies overhead at the entrance of the oil rich town of Ras Lanuf on March 6, 2011 as Libyan state television claimed that the town had been recaptured by loyalist forces of leader Moamer Kadhafi.

Libyan rebel fighters and residents of the oil rich town of Ras Lanuf run for cover as they after spot a fighter jet flying overhead near a checkpoint at the entrance to the town on March 6, 2011 as Libyan state television claimed that the town had been recaptured by loyalist forces of leader Moamer Kadhafi.

A Libyan rebel fighter shouts from his anti-aircraft machine gun position as he sees a fighter jet flying over at a check point in the outskirts of Ras Lanuf on March 6, 2011 as sustained artillery fire was heard on the road to the Libyan flashpoint of Bin Jawad, the site of deadly clashes between rebels and regime loyalists.

An anti-Moammar Gadhafi Libyan leader rebel, holds his anti-aircraft missile as he looks to the sky, in the oil town of Ras Lanouf, eastern Libya, Sunday, March 6, 2011.

Libyan rebel fighters look at an unexploded bomb that was dropped minutes before by a fighter jet at the entrance of the oil rich town of Ras Lanuf on March 6, 2011 as Libyan state television claimed that the town had been recaptured by loyalist forces of leader Moamer Kadhafi.

Picture taken on March 6, 2011 near the oil town of Ras Lanuf of the wreckage of a loyalist jet shot down the day before by Libyan rebels, killing the two pilots.

In this March 5, 2011 photo, a Libyan rebel who is part of the forces against Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi stands on a piece of the wreckage of a Libyan Air Force plane that witnesses say crashed near the recently captured oil town of Ras Lanuf, eastern Libya.

In this March 5, 2011 photo, a Libyan rebel who is part of the forces against Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi walks past the covered body of a Libyan Air Force pilot, left, and the remains of an aircraft that witnesses say crashed near the recently captured oil town of Ras Lanuf, eastern Libya.

Libyan rebels who are part of the forces against Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi sits on a truck with a heavy machine gun after capturing the oil town of Ras Lanuf, in eastern Libya, Saturday, March 5, 2011.

[He219]

This image made from Libyan state television, Friday March 4, 2011, purports to shows a Dutch Lynx helicopter, the crew of which were seized by armed men loyal to Moammar Gadhafi in Libya, after a botched evacuation mission, on Feb. 27.

This image made from Libyan state television, Friday March 4, 2011, purports to show masked supporters of Moammar Gadhafi, and a Dutch Lynx heklicopter, the crew of which was seized by armed men loyal toGadhafi in Libya, after a botched evacuation mission, on Feb. 27. Holding three marines from a NATO member state could complicate any possible outside military help for anti-government protesters, such as enforcing a no-fly zone to prevent Gadhafi's forces hitting rebels with air strikes.

This image made from Libyan state television, Friday March 4, 2011, purports to show two of three Dutch marines, a man and a woman, who were seized by armed men loyal to Moammar Gadhafi in Libya, after a botched evacuation mission, on Feb. 27.

A rebel fighter shouts "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greatest) during a battle near Ras Lanuf, March 4, 2011. Heavily armed rebels clashed with forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi on Friday on the outskirts of the key oil terminal of Ras Lanuf as the head of Libya's rebel council vowed "victory or death".

A rebel fighter shouts during a battle near Ras Lanuf, March 4, 2011. Heavily armed rebels clashed with forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi on Friday on the outskirts of the key oil terminal of Ras Lanuf as the head of Libya's rebel council vowed "victory or death". The rebels were attacking a military base on the outskirts of Ras Lanuf, a major oil port on the Mediterranean Sea, which has a refinery, pipelines and a terminal, and the army responded with artillery fire and helicopters firing machine guns.

Rebel fighters return fire during shelling by soldiers loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in a battle near Ras Lanuf, March 4, 2011.

A rebel fighter fires a cannon during a battle near Ras Lanuf, March 4, 2011.

A rebel fighter carries a shell as he runs during a battle near Ras Lanuf, March 4, 2011.

A rebel fighter takes cover from shelling by soldiers loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi during a battle near Ras Lanuf, March 4, 2011.

A rebel fighter takes cover from shelling by soldiers loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi during a battle near Ras Lanuf, March 4, 2011.

[He219]

A rebel fighter fires an anti-aircraft gun during a battle near Ras Lanuf, March 4, 2011.

A rebel fighter fires a cannon during a battle near Ras Lanuf, March 4, 2011

Libyan rebels who are part of the forces against Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi drive before leaving for the front-line near Ras Lanuf, west of the town of Brega, eastern Libya, Friday, March 4, 2011.

A rebel sleeps next to an anti-tank weapon on a checkpoint in Brega March 4, 2011.

Rebels rest at their positions in Brega March 4, 2011.

Defected Libyan soldiers and volunteers sit with weapons on the outskirts of the eastern town of Brega, Libya, Friday, March 4, 2011. Mutinous army units in pickup trucks armed with machine-guns and rocket launchers deployed around the strategic oil installation at Brega Thursday, securing the site after the opposition repelled an attempt by loyalists of Moammar Gadhafi to retake the port in rebel-held east Libya.

A defected Libyan soldier sits with his weapons on the outskirts of the eastern town of Brega, Libya, Friday, March 4, 2011

Defected Libyan soldiers and volunteers check their weapons on the outskirts of the eastern town of Brega, Libya, Friday, March 4, 2011.

Defected Libyan soldiers and volunteers shout and cheer on the outskirts of the eastern town of Brega, Libya, Friday, March 4, 2011

Anti-Gadhafi protesters run from tear gas fired by police as they tried to disperse the demonstration in the Tajoura district of eastern Tripoli, Libya, Friday, March 4, 2011. Forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi fired tear gas at protesters who marched in Tripoli on Friday, calling for the Libyan leader's ouster in defiance of a fierce crackdown by regime supporters that has spread fear in the capital.

[He219]

A Libyan defected soldier (2nd L) explains how to use a MANPADS to a group of rebels as they gather on the outskirts of Ras Lanuf on March 4, 2011 before heading into the town to battle Moamer Kadhafi loyalists.

A Libyan rebel fighter holds up rocket a propelled grenade (RPG) launcher as he prepares for battle against Khadafi regime loyalist forces on March 4, 2011 following fierce clashes between loyalists and rebels in the oil port town of Ras Lanuf.

A Libyan rebel fighter readies himself before heading to battle against pro-Kadhafi forces, some 40 kms down the road of the northcentral city of Ras Lanuf on March 4, 2011 as forces loyal to Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi have regained control of Zawiyah, near Tripoli, from rebel hands, state television reported.

[droopy]

This last pictures are insane and so is the photographer ... i really don`t know what to say other than respect to him/her, this is journalism. Oh and the desert seems a horrible place to battle it has almost no cover ...

[facundo]

At least I think that if it's a recoilless cannon M-40.
It is seen that rifle marksmanship is 12.7 mm

Saludos

[He219]

A rebel aims a rocket launcher in Brega March 3, 2011.

A rebel holds a rocket propelled grenade at a checkpoint in Brega March 3, 2011.

A rebel sits on an anti-aircraft gun on the outskirts of Ajdabiya on the road leading to Brega March 3, 2011.

A rebel holds his ears as a bomb launched by a Libyan air force jet loyal to Libya's leader Muammar Gaddafi explodes in the desert near Brega, March 2, 2011.

A rebel fires a rocket at a Libyan air force jet loyal to Libya's leader Muammar Gaddafi during a battle in the desert near Brega, March 2, 2011.

< Norinco 107mm rocket fuses

A rebel soldier takes aim with a rocket-propelled grenade launcher (RPG) in Brega

A defected Libyan soldier looks through the scope of a weapon on the outskirts of the eastern town of Brega, Libya, Thursday, March 3, 2011. Mutinous army units in pickup trucks armed with machine-guns and rocket launchers deployed around the strategic oil installation at Brega Thursday, securing the site after the opposition repelled an attempt by loyalists of Moammar Gadhafi to retake the port in rebel-held east Libya.

A defected Libyan soldier looks through the scope of a weapon on the outskirts of the eastern town of Brega, Libya, Thursday, March 3, 2011. Mutinous army units in pickup trucks armed with machine-guns and rocket launchers deployed around the strategic oil installation at Brega Thursday, securing the site after the opposition repelled an attempt by loyalists of Moammar Gadhafi to retake the port in rebel-held east Libya.

Defected Libyan soldiers and volunteers load weapons onto a truck on the outskirts of the eastern town of Brega, Libya, Thursday, March 3, 2011.

A Libyan rebel celebrates after they retake the Brega town from pro-Moaamar Gadhafi fighters, in Brega, east of Libya, on Wednesday, March 2, 2011.

Nice BGS camo

Supporters cheer as a convoy of Libyan rebel soldiers drives in Ajdabiya on March 2, 2011 while pro Moamer Kadhafi soldiers and mercenaries armed with tanks and heavy artillery stormed the nearby city of Brega, 200 kilometres (125 miles) southwest of the main eastern city Benghazi, sparking heavy clashes.

Bullet cases fly as rebel fighters shoot into the air during a funeral for slain comrades on March 3, 2011 in Ajdabiya, Libya. At least fourteen people died reportedly in fighting in Brega Wednesday when rebels fought back an offensive from troops loyal to President Muammar Gaddafi.

Rebels hold a young man at gunpoint, who they accuse of being a loyalist to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, between the towns of Brega and Ras Lanuf, March 3, 2011.

Rebel soldiers hug to greet each other in the Al Ugaila area between the towns of Brega and Ras Lanuf, March 3, 2011.

Libyan rebels run as a loyalist fighter jet flies over while preparing to battle in Ajdabiya on March 2, 2011 as Pro Moamer Kadhafi soldiers and mercenaries armed with tanks and heavy artillery stormed the nearby city of Brega, 200 kilometres (125 miles) southwest of the main eastern city Benghazi, sparking heavy clashes.

Libyan rebels prepare to battle in Ajdabiya on March 2, 2011 as Pro Moamer Kadhafi soldiers and mercenaries armed with tanks and heavy artillery stormed the nearby city of Brega, 200 kilometres (125 miles) southwest of the main eastern city Benghazi, sparking heavy clashes, residents said.

Rebels wave a Kingdom of Libya flag as they ride on top of a tank on the outskirts of Ajdabiyah, on the road leading to Brega, March 2, 2011. The flag which was used when Libya gained independence from Italy in 1951, has been used as a symbol of resistance against Libya's leader Muammar Gaddafi in the recent protests.

A rebel holds a gun on the outskirts of Ajdabiya, on the road leading to Brega, March 2, 2011. Government troops briefly captured Marsa El Brega, an oil export terminal, before being driven back by rebels who have controlled the town 800 km (500 miles) east of the capital Tripoli for about a week, rebel officers said.

A rebel celebrates news of rebels taking control of Brega by firing his gun in the air on outskirts of Ajdabiya, on the road leading to Brega, March 2, 2011. Government troops briefly captured Marsa El Brega, an oil export terminal, before being driven back by rebels who have controlled the town 800 km (500 miles) east of the capital Tripoli for about a week, rebel officers said.

Libyan rebels celebrate the announce that the nearby city of 'Brega is now under the full control of the revolution,' a police general said, while preparing to battle in Ajdabiya on March 2, 2011 after Pro Moamer Kadhafi soldiers and mercenaries armed with tanks and heavy artillery stormed Brega, 200 kilometres (125 miles) southwest of the main eastern city Benghazi, sparking heavy clashes.

Unidentified pro-Gadhafi security forces stand near a checkpoint on a street in Qasr Banashir, southeast of the capital Tripoli, in Libya, Tuesday, March 1, 2011. Government opponents in rebel-held Zawiya repelled an attempt by forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi to retake the city closest to the capital in six hours of fighting overnight, witnesses said Tuesday.

A Libyan army soldier loyal to Libyan Leader Moammar Gadhafi, poster in background, sits in a tank, in Qasr Banashir, southeast of the capital Tripoli, in Libya, Tuesday, March 1, 2011.

Men jump from a truck carrying flour, near a Libyan army tank guarding a traffic intersection in the Tripoli suburb of Gaser Ben Ghisher March 1, 2011.

A Libyan army tank guards a traffic intersection in the Tripoli suburb of Gaser Ben Ghisher March 1, 2011.

Second time I've seen it, is this some sort of soft Ballistic Helmet?

A Libyan army tank guards a traffic intersection in the Tripoli suburb of Gaser Ben Ghisher March 1, 2011

A Libyan army tank guards a traffic intersection in the Tripoli suburb of Gaser Ben Ghisher March 1, 2011.

A Libyan army truck is parked on the side of the road next to an aid convoy carrying food and medicine and allegedly heading to the eastern opposition stronghold of Benghazi from the town of Qasr bin Ghashir, 30 kms south of Tripoli, on March 1, 2011.

A woman walks past a parked convoy of 18 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid bound for Benghazi, in the Tripoli suburb of Gaser Ben Ghisher March 1, 2011.

Libyan volunteers take ammunition from inside an army base to be used for the defense against any further Libyan air force raids in the eastern town of Ajdabiya, Libya, on Tuesday March 1, 2011. The U.N. Security Council have imposed an arms embargo on Gadhafi, four of his sons and a daughter and leaders of revolutionary committees accused of much of the violence against opponents, urged an international freeze on Libyan assets and authorized an investigation into Ghadafi's regime for possible crimes against humanity.

A Libyan man surveys a weapons cache inside an army base in the eastern town of Ajdabiya, Libya, on Tuesday March 1, 2011.

Defected Libyan soldiers load ammunition into a magazine on the border of the eastern town of Ajdabiya, Libya, on Tuesday March 1, 2011.

Rebels sit next to an anti-aircraft gun outside an army base in Benghazi March 1, 2011.

Rebels guard outside an army base in Benghazi March 1, 2011.

Rebels attend the funeral of Ahmed Sati in Benghazi March 1, 2011. Sati, a 50-year-old Libyan man, died from a gunshot wound to his head on February 20 during clashes between protesters and forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, according to the local hospital.

Mourners pray next to the body of Ahmed Sati in Benghazi March 1, 2011. Sati, a 50-year-old Libyan man, died from a gunshot wound to his head on February 20 during clashes between protesters and forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, according to the local hospital.

look at that those vintage weapons ..

Libyan anti-regime protesters show machineguns and ammunition confiscated from soldiers in Benghazi on February 25, 2011.

An anti-Lybian leader Moammar Gadhafi gunman holds up his AK-47 as he fires in the air to celebrate the freedom of the Libyan city of Benghazi, Libya, on Sunday Feb. 27, 2011. US President Barack Obama has called on Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi to leave power immediately, saying he has lost the legitimacy to rule with his violent crackdown on his own people.

A Libyan soldier from forces that defected against Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi fires his automatic weapon in the air outside a military base in Benghazi, eastern Libya, Monday, Feb. 28, 2011.

A tribal rebel fires a rocket propelled grenade from a militia post on February 27, 2011 in Ajdabiya, Libya. Rebel militia there whipped into a frenzy after rumors that government troops loyal to President Muammar Gaddafi were preparing an attack. The opposition has consolidated its power in eastern Libya with President Gaddafi still in control of the capitol Tripoli.

A defected Libyan soldier places arranges a weapon from a cache inside an army base in the eastern town of Ajdabiya, Libya, on Tuesday March 1, 2011. The U.N. Security Council have imposed an arms embargo on Gadhafi, four of his sons and a daughter and leaders of revolutionary committees accused of much of the violence against opponents, urged an international freeze on Libyan assets and authorized an investigation into Ghadafi's regime for possible crimes against humanity.

Anti-Libyan Leader Moammar Ghadafi gunmen stand on alert next to an anti-aircraft machine gun, as they watch the coast side in case any Libyan navy attack, in Benghazi, Libya, on Monday Feb. 28, 2011.

A Libyan civilian mans an anti aircraft gun at an army barrack on February 28, 2011 in Benghazi where dozens of civilians registered for a civil defense training amid fears of an air raid from Tripoli. Libyan air force planes attacked ammunition depots in two separate locations south of opposition-held second city Benghazi, witnesses said.

Defected Libyan soldiers attempt to load an ammunitions magazine into an anti-aircraft gun on the border of the eastern town of Ajdabiya, Libya, on Tuesday March 1, 2011.

Libyan men survey a hole that defected soldiers say was created by an air strike impact the previous week by the Libyan army in the eastern town of Ajdabiya, Libya, on Tuesday March 1, 2011.

Soldiers and dozens of tanks from the Libyan military's elite Khamis Brigade, led by Gadhafi's youngest son Khamis Gadhafi, take positions and check vehicles after arriving hours earlier on the road in Harshan, 10km east of Zawiya, in Libya, Monday, Feb. 28, 2011. Rebel forces in Zawiya were locked in a standoff with Gadhafi loyalists and residents inside the city said they were anticipating a possible attack.

Pro-Gadhafi supporters in a car speed past a vehicle used to transport tanks from the Libyan military's elite Khamis Brigade, led by Gadhafi's youngest son Khamis Gadhafi, hours after the Khamis units were deployed on the road in Harshan, 10km east of Zawiya, in Libya, Monday, Feb. 28, 2011.

Soldiers and dozens of tanks from the Libyan military's elite Khamis Brigade, led by Gadhafi's youngest son Khamis Gadhafi, take positions and check vehicles after arriving hours earlier on the road in Harshan, 10km east of Zawiya, in Libya, Monday, Feb. 28, 2011.

Supporters of Libya's leader Muammar Gaddafi chant at a Roman amphitheatre in Sabratha, 75 km (46.6 miles) west of Tripoli February 28, 2011. The supporters had followed a convoy of journalists from Sabratha's town centre, to the archaeological site and then onto the highway returning to Tripoli.

Anti-Libyan Leader Moammar Ghadafi gunman holds an anti-tank missile at a military base where they collected the anti-aircraft machine guns to maintain and prepare them for any attack come from the west country, in Benghazi, east of Libya, on Monday Feb. 28, 2011.

Anti-Libyan Leader Moammar Ghadafi gunman washes his foots and preparing to pray at a military base where they collect the anti-aircraft machine guns to maintain and prepare them for any attack come from the west country, in Benghazi, east of Libya, on Monday Feb. 28, 2011.

Anti-Libyan Leader Moammar Ghadafi gunmen walks at a military base where they collect anti-aircraft machine guns to maintain and prepare them for any attack comeing from the west country, in Benghazi, east of Libya, on Monday Feb. 28, 2011.

Anti-Libyan Leader Moammar Ghadafi gunman holds bullets of anti-aircraft machine gun, in Benghazi, Libya, on Monday Feb. 28, 2011. The United States pressed its European allies on Monday to set tough sanctions on the Libyan government, while doubts emerged about the feasibility of a proposed no-fly zone to prevent Moammar Gadhafi's regime from launching aerial attacks against protesters.

[img][/img]

Anti-Libyan Leader Moammar Ghadafi gunmen sit on their vehicle carrying a heavy anti-aircraft machine gun, in Benghazi, Libya, on Monday Feb. 28, 2011.

A Libyan army tank manned by soldiers opposed to leader Muammar Gaddafi is surrounded by protesters in the city of Zawiya, 50 km (30 miles) west of the capital Tripoli, February 27, 2011. Rebels in control of the Libyan city fired weapons into the air and shouted "This is our revolution" on Sunday as they prepared to defend it against forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi.

Men who claimed to be military defectors, now supporting anti-regime forces, man an anti-aircraft gun in the main square in Zawiya, 30 miles (50 kilometers) west of Tripoli, in Libya, Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011.

An armed resident smokes a cigarette in the main square in Zawiya, 30 miles (50 kilometers) west of Tripoli, in Libya Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011.

Libyan pro-Gadhafi security forces man a checkpoint on the way to Zawiya, 30 miles (50 kilometers) west of Tripoli, in Libya, Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011. Hundreds of armed anti-government forces backed by military defectors in Zawiya, the city closest to the capital Tripoli, prepared Sunday to repel an expected offensive by forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi who are surrounding the city.

An unidentified armed man working with pro-government forces sits at his position, on the road to Zawiya, 30 miles (50 kilometers) west of Tripoli, in Libya Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011.

Pro-Gadhafi forces man a checkpoint on the outskirts of Zawiya, 30 miles (50 kilometers) west of Tripoli, in Libya Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011.

A Libyan soldier guards a Roman amphitheatre in Sabratha, 75 km west of Tripoli February 28, 2011.

Nice G36E

Saif Gaddafi, son of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, speaks to pro-government supporters in this frame grab from a YouTube footage obtained February 28, 2011.

[JohnnyWalker]

He219, unbelievable photos. Thank you.

Keep fighting the good fight Libya!

[He219]

I posted these images in the daily threads and I think its a good idea to keep them in this thread.
cheers-

[SBL]

I hope that captured "loyalist" isn't just some poor migrant worker.

[kalerab]

Libyan People´s army before Beghazi court house as they are given order to move west towards Sirte to support to be seen offensive.

[John_J]

The Guy on the 50cal - SF ? Judging from clothes and boots ! Very western

[Bro Jangles]

Guy standing on the shotdown SU24, does he have a Egyptian Rasheed?

[He219]

Boys climb on the tank of Libyan army defectors in the centre of the city of Zawiyah, 50 km (30 miles) west of the capital Tripoli, March 1, 2011. Libya could descend into civil war if Muammar Gaddafi refuses to quit, the United States said on Tuesday, its demand for his departure carrying fresh weight after news of Western military preparations.

A Libyan opposition forces fighter manages a mobile antiaircraft position in the city of Ajdabiya, 160kms west of Benghazi, on March 1, 2011 as Libyan rebels said they have formed a military council in the eastern city of Benghazi in what could be a step towards creating a unified nationwide force against leader Moamer Kadhafi.

Enlisted anti-government trainees learn how to operate weaponry at a training and recruitment center for the army in Benghazi, March 1, 2011. Libya's eastern rebel army is urging young men eager to dash west and engage Muammar Gaddafi's forces to wait so they can turn them into an effective fighting force. Hundreds from the eastern city of Benghazi are setting off each day across the desert to Libya's capital, some carrying knives and assault rifles, residents told *******.

An enlisted anti-government trainee learns how to operate an anti-aircraft gun at a training and recruitment center for the army in Benghazi, March 1, 2011. Libya's eastern rebel army is urging young men eager to dash west and engage Muammar Gaddafi's forces to wait so they can turn them into an effective fighting force. Hundreds from the eastern city of Benghazi are setting off each day across the desert to Libya's capital, some carrying knives and assault rifles, residents told *******.

A Libyan army tank manned by soldiers opposed to leader Muammar Gaddafi is surrounded by protesters in the city of Zawiyah February 27, 2011. Armed men opposed to the rule of Libyan leader Gaddafi were in control of the city of Zawiyah, 50 km (30 miles) west of the capital Tripoli, on Sunday.

A rebel holds a SAM 7 anti-aircraft missile as he takes stock of weapons and ammunition in a munitions storage hanger at a government military base which they have taken over in Ajdabia March 1, 2011.

A Libyan soldier loyal to leader Muammar Gaddafi guards a checkpoint between the capital and the city of Zawiyah February 27, 2011. Rebels in control of a Libyan city near the capital fired weapons into the air and shouted "This is our revolution" on Sunday as they prepared to defend it against forces loyal to Gaddafi. The red, green and black flag of the anti-Gaddafi rebellion was flying from a building in the centre of Zawiyah, 50 km (30 miles) west of the capital Tripoli.

Libyan troops loyal to leader Muammar Gaddafi guard a checkpoint between the capital and the city of Zawiyah February 27, 2011.

Libyan troops loyal to leader Muammar Gaddafi man an armoured vehicle on a bridge near a checkpoint between the capital and the city of Zawiyah February 27, 2011. The advertisement reads in Arabic "Keep our country clean".

Libyan army forces unload supplies from a Chinook helicopter at a border crossing station in western Libya March 1, 2011. Libya could descend into civil war if Muammar Gaddafi refuses to quit, the United States said on Tuesday, its demand for his departure carrying fresh weight after news of Western military preparations.