Ajdabiyah, about 150 km (90 miles) south of Benghazi, was the last rebel-held town in the east to fall to Gaddafi's troops before the failed assault on Benghazi and subsequent retreat.

Ajdabiyah, about 150 km (90 miles) south of Benghazi, was the last rebel-held town in the east to fall to Gaddafi's troops before the failed assault on Benghazi and subsequent retreat.

El-Hasi said the rebel leadership had coordinated with international powers on the air strikes.

"There is a connection between us. One, to pinpoint the position of Gaddafi's troops, and two, to pinpoint the position of our fighters so they don't get hit with bombardments."

However, a key question now is whether the international powers are willing to go beyond defensive actions to protect civilians -- the ostensible mandate -- or to support rebels as they advance.

"We are not asking the allies to pinpoint Gaddafi's troops to help us to advance. We are telling them to target them when they are trying to come into the city," El-Hasi said.

Speaking at a later news conference, Ghoga was more ambiguous. He said that if Gaddafi's troops and armour threatened a city, it was legitimate for foreign forces to act.

"The coalition forces will level the playing field with the air strikes then our revolutionary forces will advance," he said.

Posted in: about 150 km (90 miles) south of Benghazi,Ajdabiyah