Libya rebels say winning is possible (with help)

BENGHAZI, Libya - The battle for control of the country has seesawed back and forth for weeks.

Rebels Monday took back most of Brega, a key oil town in the east. Opposition leaders insist they can break the stalemate with Muammar Qaddafi's forces but only if the U.S. and its allies provide more firepower.

CBS News correspondent Allen Pizzey reports that the rebels are grateful for their international backers. At a rally Monday, the signs and flags were a show of thanks to the U.S. and its NATO allies for the no-fly zone. However, the main message was blunt: Extend the campaign to bomb the Libyan army no matter how close it is to civilian areas and don't worry if mistakes are made.

"We don't care if somebody killed. They will be shaheed," said rally-attendee Ramadan Akila. "They will be martyrs."

Even those who set up this rally know rebels can't win without help, and there are reports that the political and military factions of the revolt have reached an accord.

The rebel military council says it now has a functioning command structure, a list of specific weapons they want, and a core unit of professionals who can be both trusted and trained to use them quickly.

Fears that Western-supplied firepower could end up in the hands of chaotic volunteers running up and down the road are misplaced, according to Col. Ahmed Bani, the spokesman for what is now called the Free Libya Forces.

"What we need now, just the anti-tank, the anti-cannon and the most important thing is the communications equipment," Bani said.

The Libyan army is using Russian-made military hardware to batter the town of Misrata, from which some civilians managed to flee Monday. The rebels want Western weapons.

"We will need advisers, and instructors just to help us, to show us how to use it. I don't think it takes time, not more than a week I think," Bani said.

That may be as optimistic as asking NATO to provide close air support for rebel fighters.