Nearly $130 million was raised from the sale of oil last month to help pay for weapons and food in opposition strongholds in eastern Libya, but tribal leaders in other parts of the country say further oil shipments are needed to fund their battles against Qaddafi’s military.
“We have no arms or money to fight the militia. We need more help,” said Othman Jemaa Bensasi, a tribal leader from the Zwara region near the Tunisian border in northwest Libya.
He was among more than 20 leaders from tribes and councils who gathered in Abu Dhabi to coordinate strategies and pledge loyalty to the rebel forces. They plan to travel on Tuesday to Qatar, which oversaw the freedom fighters oil sale.
Last month, Qatar helped rebels complete the sale of 1 million barrels of crude that brought in roughly $129 million. Officials say it could be weeks before oil shipments can resume because of damage to equipment.
Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have sent warplanes to take part in the NATO force attacking Qaddafi’s military and other sites.
