Independent:
Fears are rising in the east of Libya that a mercenary militia is preparing to sweep into the country from Egypt to take bloody revenge on the dissidents who drove Gaddafi's forces out.
At a rebel staging post at Ba'r Lashan, outside the city of Tobruk, rumours abounded that Gaddafi's supporters had slipped across the border to impose a tribal levy to fund a strike at the rebels. Libyans and Egyptians interviewed close to the border claimed they had witnessed Ahmed Gadhaf al-Dam, a cousin to the Libyan leader and one of his closest aides, offering a mixture of bribes and invectives against "traitors". In Tobruk there was alarm at the tales of the alleged activities of al-Dam, whose name denotes "bloodthrower".
Al-Dam was said to have been spotted at the city of Matrouh, around 200km from the Libyan border, on Wednesday. According to local people he left in a convoy of four-wheel drive vehicles early yesterday morning, and elders from the Oladli clan of the Martrouhi tribe say al-Dam is now headed for upper Egypt and his own clan base for pre-arranged meetings before returning to Tripoli.
But yesterday al-Dam presented a very different version of his status, issuing a statement denouncing the regime. It is an indication of the confusion swirling around Libya, thanks to the limitations on communications and the media. Other reports suggested that he had been in Cairo for days.
Al-Dam holds an Egyptian passport and Egyptian officials, who say they are aware of his possible presence, say that he has every right to travel to his second home. There is also confusion, they say, on whether he is in breach of international law if he is trying to enforce the jurisdiction of the government of Libya. One official, however, stressed that Cairo would not want any escalation of bloodshed in the neighbouring country.
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They do not seem to have mastered military intelligence at this point. There are so many things to master that it will probably take a while. I think the Egyptians have enough on their plate at this point not to have a need in meddling in the affairs of Libya.
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