Secret to Rebels Success in Libya:Smugglers

There is a small determined fleet of boats in Libya that brave the dangers of Qaddafi's armaments to bring food, supplies and medicine to rebels holed up in the city of Misurata. The rebels have brought together about two dozen fishing boats and former Qaddafi tugboats to give the beseiged city of Misurata a life line. NATO supports the efforts, and approves of the measures the men have taken. While it is well known that smugglers are what is keeping the city afloat, specific locations for dropoffs and pick ups were not disclosed. The efforts of the mariners has allowed the citizens of Misurata to survive the seige, as crates of baby formula travel alongside crates of ammunition. Misurata itself is the reason that rebels have refused to consider splitting the country East versus West simply because of tribal and cultural differences. The mariners feel a sense of pride in their mission, using the very means Qaddafi once used, the boats, the guns etc, to crush them to try and push him from power. They hope that Nato continues to offer a safe haven from chasing Qaddafi ships in its blockade. Their start was a little less official, as rebels contacted criminals who moved contraband in and out of the country, and learned how to avoid Qaddafi's patrols. With NATO'S support, the rebels have now been able to focus on attaining supplies, the most finicky of which has been guns and ammunition. The guns that the rebels have been able to attain are part of a buy back program, and as supply has run low prices have started to rise and many people in Libya are waiting to cash in on the rebels.

by Margaret Nunne

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/23/world/africa/23smuggling.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&ref=world