NATO Forces Aided Rebel Surge

Rebel forces in Libya has taken over the capital in Tripoli, but not without the help of NATO coordination. American aerial surveillance intensified in the weeks leading up to the invasion, helping to weaken Muammar Gaddafi's floundering regime. NATO officials report that coordination between their troops and the rebels had grown stronger in recent weeks, creating a lethal joint effort. NATO also increased 24-hour surveillance in areas where the regime still had a hold, and used armed Predator drones to detect, track, and sometimes fire at the forces. Other European nations such as Britain and France also aided the effort, deploying troops to help train and arm the rebels. “The rebels certainly have our phone number,” a NATO diplomat said. “We have a much better picture of what’s happening on the ground.”