The Libyan government has unveiled its latest weapon to defend Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's regime from rebel fighters -- women.
As the NATO bombing campaign in the country entered its 100th day on Monday, loyalists to Gaddafi paraded their new female fighters in front of the world's media.
The 500 women loyal to the embattled leader had just completed a programme to teach them how to fire weapons, at a base near Tripoli, according to the Guardian.
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| Female volunteer fighters take part in a weapon training session by Libyan soldiers loyal to leader Muammar Gaddafi at a military camp in Beni Walid, 130 kmssoutheast of Tripoli. Reuters |
The images show women getting to grips with a range of weapons as the government revealed it wanted women to become 'killing machines'.
Many of the women appeared to be elderly, whilst some were barely teenagers -- but all were united in their love for the Libyan leader.
The waiting journalists watched as the women showed off their new skills, including target practice and loading their rifles with ammunition.
Some were pictured firing their guns defiantly into the air, showering the ground with dozens of bullets in celebration, watched closely by government minders.
Hundreds were photographed waving greening flags and photos of the Libyan leader. Others were chanting their loyalty and wearing jewellery decorated with Gaddafi's face.
It is not clear where the women will be deployed, if at all. Perhaps it is hoped the female contingent will help take down the regime's rebels who are not that much better prepared for combat either.
With a lack of heavy weapons, battlefield tactics and communications or even basic training, most rebel fighters don't have functioning mobile phones, let alone radios.
The rag-tag rebels take their lead from what they see.
Moussa Ibrahim, a government spokesman, told the Gaurdian: 'Libyan women are now joining the armed forces against NATO. We are training them. Their main role is defending homes. We have no plan to send them to the front line. They are not trained for that, and our army is very effective.'
He pledged to make every mother 'a bomb, a killing machine'.
He insisted the regime was strong and there was no possibility of surrender.
One graduate of the programme told the newspaper: 'We love Muammar Gaddafi and we want to save our country,
'He made us happy. He makes us eat and makes the country free to do what we want. Before, we weren't free.'
© Daily Mail, London
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