Western coalition arming Rebels under the "Banner of Islam"

From Eric Dondero:

From Karen De Young, reporter with the Washington Post (via Denver Post) "Western nations step up aid for Libyan rebels" April 19:

The United States and its allies have entered a new stage of involvement in Libya, sending assistance and advisers directly to opposition military forces, which have been unable to break Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's stranglehold over much of the country despite help from NATO airstrikes.

President Barack Obama authorized sending $25 million worth of nonlethal equipment, including body armor, tents, uniforms and vehicles.

Cities already being governed under strict Sharia Law

Now this...

translated from the French Media source, Le Figaro "Al-Qaida confirme sa présence aux côtés des rebelles en Libye" (Al Qaeda's presence confirmed in Libya by rebels" April 19:

The media officer in the North African branch of al-Qaeda gave an interesting interview with the Saudi newspaper Al-Hayyat published in London.

Abi Saleh Mohammad said that the terrorist organization has offices in Benghazi, Al Bayda, Al Marj, and especially Dernah Shihata.

"We are especially present at Dernah where Sheikh Abdul Hakim is our Emir and where he trained - along with other brothers - an Islamic council to govern the city under Sharia, Islamic law, said Mohammad Abi Saleh...

The head of al-Qaida also confirms that the terrorist organization has recently acquired weapons, "to protect our soldiers and to defend the banner of Islam."

Editor's note - My translation; fluent French speaker.