Few who have seen the front lines would dispute that Libya\u2019s rebels need arms matched to their fight. But as the European powers send military advisers to eastern Libya, the developing NATO plan to help the rebels organize themselves quickly into an effective fighting force confronts their backers with difficult issues.<\/p>\n
A survey of weapons carried by hundreds of rebels fighting on two fronts \u201d\u201d in eastern Libya and the besieged city of Misurata \u201d\u201d presents a picture of an armed uprising that is both underequipped and in custody of many weapons with no utility in the war at hand. The rebels are also in possession of weapons that if sold, lost or misused, could undermine their revolution\u2019s reputation and undercut their cause.<\/p>\n
These include anti-aircraft missiles and land mines, both of which the rebels have used on at least a limited basis so far, and which pose long-term regional security threats. They include as well heavier weapons \u201d\u201d Type 63 and Grad rockets \u201d\u201d that rebels have fired indiscriminately, endangering civilians and civilian infrastructure.<\/p>\n