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Libyan rebels try to impose control

09 August 2011 23:22 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. The Libyan rebel leadership is showing signs of strain and disarray six months into its fight to oust Moammar Gadhafi, APA reports siting news.yahoo.com webpage.

Tensions over the killing of the opposition’s military commander Abdel-Fattah Younis, possibly by other rebels, spurred the leaders to sack their own Cabinet late Monday and on Tuesday order the movement’s various armed factions to integrate in hopes of imposing some order.

"One good thing that could come of Younis’ assassination is that the rebels will try to get the groups together and develop a coherent military force," said Libya expert Ronald Bruce St John. "Then they will have a better chance to overthrow Gadhafi."

The United States welcomed the rebels’ reorganization. The State Department said it was a sign the national council, which the U.S. and others recognize as Libya’s legitimate government, is using Younis’ slaying as an opportunity for "reflection" and "renewal" by firing its executive committee.

The Libyan revolt began in mid-February, with the rebels quickly wresting control of much of the eastern half of the country, as well as pockets in the west. But six months on, the conflict has settled into a stalemate.