Libyan rebels set up training ‘boot camp’

Libyan rebels have set up a boot camp to train volunteers who want to topple Colonel Gaddafi.

euronews visited the training ground outside Benghazi at a former Gaddafi military base.

For many of the new recruits, it is the first time they have fired a gun.

“This volunteer army will undertake a two-week course before heading to the battlefield to fight Gaddafi’s troops,” said euronews correspondent Mustafa Bag.

Britain will reportedly send experienced soldiers, including former members of the elite SAS force, to train the anti-Gaddafi militias.

But one rebel leader says coalition know-how won’t be enough.

“We need anti-tanks, we need helicopters (as) Gaddafi’s squads are moving in,” said rebel commander Shah Favzi Bukativ.

“I think we can overcome it with helicopters. This is now especially (in) the oil and gas-(producing) areas and we need this urgently.”

The rebels say as many as 3,000 people have signed up for the fortnight-long boot camp.

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