* Rebels say Gaddafi turns to African mercenaries
* Morgue workers say find Nigerian papers on fighter
* Brega rebels push frontline further west
By Mohammed Abbas
BREGA, Libya, March 2 (Reuters) - Rebels with anti-aircraft guns, anti-tank missiles, AK-47 assault rifles and home-made petrol bombs surged down the road into Brega on Wednesday to shore up defences after Muammar Gaddafi's forces were repulsed.
Gaddafi loyalists attacked the town, site of a vital oil terminal, earlier in the day. They were driven back by rebels who had seized control of much of Libya's oil-rich eastern region shortly after protests against Gaddafi erupted in mid-February. "We will keep fighting the Gaddafi mafia till it's gone," said Adam Nouh, an oil engineer, cheering the rebel forces on.
In Brega, six dead bodies lay in the morge. Hospital officials and volunteers pointed out four bodies of rebels and two others who they said were Gaddafi mercenaries. They said they found Nigerian identification papers on one body.
Rebels say Gaddafi has turned to African mercenaries to fight his battles for him.
Outside in the street, hundreds of people cheered, flicked "V-for-victory" signs, and some fired volleys into the air to celebrate their victory.
Witnesses said about 15 Gaddafi loyalists were killed or wounded in the assault on Brega but that the casualties were taken away by the Libyan leader's forces.
One Brega resident said the frontline was pushed towards al-Uqayla, a town 40 km (25 miles) to the west of Brega.
"People are running after them," said Hamad Sakhiri, a volunteer supporting the rebels, although not bearing arms.
Sakhiri spoke next to a crater blasted out during a air raid just half an hour earlier. It was the latest raid on Brega, which lies 780 km (490 miles) from Tripoli. Other raids had been launched on Ajdabiyah, about 70 km east of Brega.
Many soldiers deserted Gaddafi's command early in the Libyan uprising which has left him with control of Tripoli and patchy control of other areas mainly in the west. But he still commands a hefty arsenal of weapons, including warplanes.
"READY TO GO TO GOD"
Rebel troops have defended their gains, joined by ordinary Libyans determined to shake off the 41 years of Gaddafi's rule, which the Libyan leader insists gives power to the people but which many say has repressed them.
"I'm going to Brega to help our brothers there. I'm washed, I've prayed, and I'm ready to go to God. I have a family, but I want my family to have a better life, which is why I'm risking mine," said Hisham Mohammed, 33, a mechanic by trade.
Mohammed had only learned how to use a gun when protests began. His weapon was taken from a Gaddafi brigade. Though not everyone is experienced in handling a gun, rebels have their own arsenal seized from bases they now command.
A Reuters reporter saw anti-Gaddafi forces with anti-aircraft guns, anti-tank missiles, rocket propelled grenade launchers and other smaller arms. On the road between Ajdabiyah and Brega, rebels manned at least two tanks and towed heavy artillery.
Back in Ajdabiyah, hundreds of men gathered at the western entrance early on Wednesday, some to encourage rebels as they headed to the front, others waiting to pick up weapons.
Without enough weapons to go round, some had simply filled Pepsi bottles with petrol and stuffed them with cloth strips ready to light up and hurl. In Ajdabiyah hospital, seven wounded men were wheeled in to the operating room. Some were bloodied and delirious. Those who could, held up two fingers. Bystanders shouted: "Allahu Akbar" -- God is great.
(Writing by Edmund Blair in Cairo)
* Morgue workers say find Nigerian papers on fighter
* Brega rebels push frontline further west
By Mohammed Abbas
BREGA, Libya, March 2 (Reuters) - Rebels with anti-aircraft guns, anti-tank missiles, AK-47 assault rifles and home-made petrol bombs surged down the road into Brega on Wednesday to shore up defences after Muammar Gaddafi's forces were repulsed.
Gaddafi loyalists attacked the town, site of a vital oil terminal, earlier in the day. They were driven back by rebels who had seized control of much of Libya's oil-rich eastern region shortly after protests against Gaddafi erupted in mid-February. "We will keep fighting the Gaddafi mafia till it's gone," said Adam Nouh, an oil engineer, cheering the rebel forces on.
In Brega, six dead bodies lay in the morge. Hospital officials and volunteers pointed out four bodies of rebels and two others who they said were Gaddafi mercenaries. They said they found Nigerian identification papers on one body.
Rebels say Gaddafi has turned to African mercenaries to fight his battles for him.
Outside in the street, hundreds of people cheered, flicked "V-for-victory" signs, and some fired volleys into the air to celebrate their victory.
Witnesses said about 15 Gaddafi loyalists were killed or wounded in the assault on Brega but that the casualties were taken away by the Libyan leader's forces.
One Brega resident said the frontline was pushed towards al-Uqayla, a town 40 km (25 miles) to the west of Brega.
"People are running after them," said Hamad Sakhiri, a volunteer supporting the rebels, although not bearing arms.
Sakhiri spoke next to a crater blasted out during a air raid just half an hour earlier. It was the latest raid on Brega, which lies 780 km (490 miles) from Tripoli. Other raids had been launched on Ajdabiyah, about 70 km east of Brega.
Many soldiers deserted Gaddafi's command early in the Libyan uprising which has left him with control of Tripoli and patchy control of other areas mainly in the west. But he still commands a hefty arsenal of weapons, including warplanes.
"READY TO GO TO GOD"
Rebel troops have defended their gains, joined by ordinary Libyans determined to shake off the 41 years of Gaddafi's rule, which the Libyan leader insists gives power to the people but which many say has repressed them.
"I'm going to Brega to help our brothers there. I'm washed, I've prayed, and I'm ready to go to God. I have a family, but I want my family to have a better life, which is why I'm risking mine," said Hisham Mohammed, 33, a mechanic by trade.
Mohammed had only learned how to use a gun when protests began. His weapon was taken from a Gaddafi brigade. Though not everyone is experienced in handling a gun, rebels have their own arsenal seized from bases they now command.
A Reuters reporter saw anti-Gaddafi forces with anti-aircraft guns, anti-tank missiles, rocket propelled grenade launchers and other smaller arms. On the road between Ajdabiyah and Brega, rebels manned at least two tanks and towed heavy artillery.
Back in Ajdabiyah, hundreds of men gathered at the western entrance early on Wednesday, some to encourage rebels as they headed to the front, others waiting to pick up weapons.
Without enough weapons to go round, some had simply filled Pepsi bottles with petrol and stuffed them with cloth strips ready to light up and hurl. In Ajdabiyah hospital, seven wounded men were wheeled in to the operating room. Some were bloodied and delirious. Those who could, held up two fingers. Bystanders shouted: "Allahu Akbar" -- God is great.
(Writing by Edmund Blair in Cairo)
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