From The Economist's Defence, Security, and Diplomacy Blog Clausewitz; The limpet's legions, published Mar 2nd 2011, 16:27 by M.S.

Mr Qaddafi’s ability to move reinforcements rapidly around the vast country has already proved important. According to intelligence estimates, far from being the delusional loon he affects to be, the Libyan leader has been preparing for the situation he finds himself in today for many years. Unlike the well-equipped, albeit poorly run, air force, the nominally 50,000-strong Libyan army (most of whom are conscripts) has long been distrusted by the regime and kept on short rations. In contrast, Mr Qaddafi and his sons have built up a paramilitary force of some 20,000 well-armed and well-drilled tribesmen loyal to their clan and supplemented by handsomely paid mercenaries from Chad and Niger.
For those of you who are following the money it is interesting to catch glimpses of who is controlling what oil export terminal (and this is not a complete list):

  • Tubruq


  • Benghazi


  • Zueitina


  • Zawiya


  • Ras Lanuf


  • Es Sider


  • Marsa El Brega


Here is a twitter map and a google map of the current goings on.