By PAUL SCHEMM and HAMZA HENDAWI
Associated Press
BENGHAZI, Libya – They have little ammunition, their equipment is old and outdated and their fighters are poorly trained. Even though they boast of tanks, army bases and airports in eastern Libya, rebels still face many challenges before they can make any real move on Moammar’s Gadhafi’s stronghold in Tripoli hundreds of miles to the west.
Analysts believe the standoff between forces loyal to Gadhafi and rebels backed by army troops who have defected would likely be settled on the streets. But they also said they could not rule out that a hurriedly assembled force from the east would move out to seize Tripoli.
“It will take people power to unseat Gadhafi,” said Peter Felstead, editor of Jane’s Defense Weekly.