Libya, rebel fighters are now closer than ever to the capital. They have come to court Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi - the coastal city of Zawiya, about 50 km (31 miles) from the capital, Tripoli. But the rebels are still facing resistance from the forces of the regime. The critical question for the rebels and NATO, is how long and how hard it will be Col Gaddafi fighting men. The answer, according to a senior army officer, is that some are still willing to fight to the death.
"There are a group of fighters and officers who are still prepared to die for Gaddafi," said the brigadier, who was captured by the rebels last month. "The majority support him. I know that from the battlefield, and from talking to them."
This officer of many years of service is one of the highest prison custody of the rebels. He spoke in a detention center in Misrata in the presence of rebel officers. He said he had been well treated, and he seemed calm, but guarded. We can not reveal their identity or to independently verify his testimony - which may have been influenced by fears of their loved ones. The regime keeps a close eye on military families. Brigadier painted a picture of an army that is well organized and fit for battle. There were shortages of ammunition and fuel occasionally, he said, but they were not severe. He admitted that there was panic in progress rebel attacks and NATO air, but downplayed the impact of the bombing campaign.
"Nato destroyed a lot of equipment and weapons," he said. "But I did not feel it made any difference to morale. They have been bombarding Gaddafi for five months, and they haven't been able to drive him out." The brigadier said he had no knowledge of the Libyan leader's plans for the defence of Tripoli, or how many army units he had there. His predicted that the conflict would drag on. "From what I saw, this war will last for a long time, because neither side will give an inch." Troops were told they would be fighting foreigners, not fellow Libyans, according to the brigadier. "When they gave us orders they said we would be fighting crusaders and al-Qaeda," he said. "I am one of the first guys who wished to die rather than fight fellow Muslims. I hoped to be killed by Nato air strikes, so I would not have to fight."
Reluctantly or otherwise, Gaddafi forces still struggling. But in recent days the rebels have been rising after months of stagnation, so that advances on three fronts. Many soldiers believe that the end is in sight.
"The circle is tightening around the tyrant," said Mohammed Ali, a fighter heading home from the front lines near the western town of Tawargha. "We are cutting his [Col Gaddafi's] supply lines from the south and the east. He will get nothing from Algeria, or from the south of Libya." But he was cautious about when the rebels might reach Tripoli. "I can't say tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow," he said. "We have to make a collective effort to get there. Hopefully it will be soon." Rebel gains have been reversed before, but the fighters are now closer than ever to Col Gaddafi. There is speculation about exit strategies. Libya's interior minister has already arrived in Egypt, with nine members of his family - allegedly on holiday. But when we spoke to the brigadier, he doubted Col Gaddafi would ever look for a way out. "That's up to him, but if he was going to relinquish power I think he would have done it before now."
