Russian-built network helped Gadhafi prevail; NATO provided no support to rebels

Thursday, March 17, 2011   E-Mail this story   Free Headline Alerts

CAIRO — Libyan Col. Moammar Gadhafi has defeated a revolt through his Russian-built military logistics network.

Western intelligence sources said Russia designed and constructed a series of military warehouses that ensured the supply of Gadhafi's military and security forces throughout Libya. They said the logistics infrastructure enabled the regime to recover from initial rebel successes in February.

The sources said NATO provided virtually no military support to the Libyan rebels. They said most of the alliance, including the United States, were restricted by international law as well as disagreements over strategy.

"The revolt is essentially over," the source said. "Gadhafi is again in charge of all energy assets and the rebels will lose their last major strongholds within a few days."

On March 16, Gadhafi's son, Seif Al Islam, said the military was moving toward Benghazi, the second largest city. Seif predicted the capture of Benghazi by March 19.

"The military operations are completed," Seif said. "In 48 hours everything will be over."

"Gadhafi established a formidable military infrastructure that allowed him to counter-attack even with limited forces," an intelligence source familiar with Gadhafi's security network said.

The sources said the Russian-built military logistical network, established over the last decade, enabled Gadhafi to maintain air, ground and naval strikes against the rebels throughout eastern Libya as well as along the coast. They said the rebels were unable to respond the increasingly withering firepower of Russian- and French-origin aircraft, artillery and main battle tanks.

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