Gadhafi Forces Rout Rebels in Eastern Libya

As the West debates arming Libyan opposition forces, a NATO admiral warns there are 'flickers of al-Qaida' in their ranks.

Outgunned and outmanoeuvred, Libyan rebels retreated toward Brega Tuesday under sustained attack from government forces, revealing how difficult it will be for opposition groups to defeat Moammar Gadhafi’s forces without outside help. The rebel ranks are made up of teachers, engineers, and students with little military knowledge, while Gadhafi’s army is highly trained and better equipped. NATO forces have been bombing military targets for over a week, but the UN motion they’re operating under prohibits giving the rebels direct air support. NATO leaders continue to debate whether to arm the rebels, but it’s unclear if they know how to use the weapons they already have. U.S. Admiral James Stavridis told the Senate Tuesday that terrorists may be part of the rebel effort.