Al Jazeera Forum: Gaddafi regime won’t survive for long: Libyan activists Monday, 14 March 2011 01:34

DOHA: Despite the military upper hand that forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi have been gaining in several cities in Libya, many young fighters from Benghazi, the rebel strong hold, believe that Gaddafi would not be able to survive for long. The sixth Al Jazeera Annual Forum has hosted a group of young Libyan activists, most of them from Benghazi.

Speaking to The Peninsula on the sidelines, they said the military might of the Gaddafi regime was crumbling steadily, even though it had made some gains at the moment.

“Gaddafi has got limited military under his command. Most of the pilots operating the war planes are mercenaries brought from other countries. Many senior officials in the regime are not defecting for the simple reason that they and their families have been kept as hostages by Gaddafi,” said one of the activists, who introduced himself as Abdullah.

Asked how the rebels could continue to defy the pro-Gaddafi forces since they had recaptured several cities, Abdullah said, “Such ups and downs are possible in any conflict. We started our struggle peacefully but we were forced to take arms as the regime tried to crush the revolt. We know that Gaddafi has an upper hand in air power. That is why we are calling for a no-fly zone.”

“ We are looking for military support from the outside world, not for military intervention,” added Abdullah.

Asked if the pro-Gaddafi forces would be able to recapture Benghazi, he said it was not going to happen.

When pointed out that there were no many supporters for the revolt in capital Tripoli, Abdullah said, “Tripoli is under the direct control of Gaddafi and people are scared to revolt.”

Asked if people in Libya were not as united as in Egypt and Tunisia, he said, “ Gaddafi is buying loyalty through force, intimidation, and money. Most of the pictures of Gaddafi supporters that we see in the television are stage-managed.”

These fighters from Benghazi strongly believe that their rebellion will finally succeed. Asked how long Gaddafi would survive, Abdullah said, “We cannot say precisely but his days are numbered. The revolution will win.”

the peninsula