akenaton-

It is certainly in the interests of Gadhafi to reinforce suspicion among the Rebels of the motives of their more conservative "comrades." It's hard to tell from our perspective whether this "Islamic militia unit" was a rogue element or a more general faction which includes a majority of Islamic militants.

One could conjure up a scenario where the CIA is well aware of the assassination plans (and evidently detailed plans have been recovered now) of the February 17 Martyrs' Brigade and was happy to watch them executed so their favorite general Klalifa Haftr, shipped back to Libya early in the campaign from his exile in Fairfax, Virginia, could assume control of the Rebel military operations. But that might be giving the CIA too much credit.

Meanwhile on the battlefield towns and villages in both the East and West are still switching back and forth between Rebel control and control by Gadhafi forces.

I may go back to playing chess, a brutal game but one where there is a minimum of collateral damage.

Charley Noble