Libyan rebels have carefully organized the assault on Tripoli, introducing weapons into the capital and earning the trust of local revolutionaries, reports New York Times in the electronic edition.
The rebels began to plot their revolt in the capital, introducing weapons into safe houses in recent weeks and spread information among local revolutionaries that widespread protests after the prayer of Ramadan will begin in the evening of 20 August, which is the anniversary of liberation of Mecca by Prophet Muhammad.
The rebels were helped by shipments of weapons, fuel, medicines and food from the British, French and Qatar troops and the escalation of NATO’s bombing campaign. Hundreds of rebels have also participated in secret military training in Qatar.
The rebels received weapons from the special forces in Qatar and satellite photographs taken by British and French military advisers. In order to raise morale, United States have sent fragments of intercepted telephone conversations in which Libyan commanders are crying out for lack of food, water and ammunition.
The western offensive started by rebels encouraged combatants from other parts of the country, NATO and American officials describing an assault from three directions, carefully prepared, on the Tripoli, in order to determine fighters loyal to Col. Gadhafi to return to the capital, where NATO planes could bomb them.
However, rebel assault on Tripoli has inspired some residents of the capital to go ahead with their own plans of rebellion, according to some interviews on Monday with rebel leaders.
When the protests started on Saturday night, Colonel Gadhafi troops waited in front of mosques and opened fire on protesters, according to people who claim to have seen violence. By Sunday morning, about 600 rebels in Tripoli were sent to support the advancing of the group to the capital from the west, according to rebel leaders. About 100 members were trained in Qatar, according to an adviser to the rebels.
But the rebel advance to Tripoli was almost thwarted Sunday morning when a column made up of government forces tried to re-enter Zawiyah. But while Gadhafi’s forces approached Zawiyah, NATO planes bombed the convoy before it could reach this strategic city.