Why do the Libya rebels get so viciously routed by Colonel Gaddafi's troops without NATO air strikes?

because they have no military training and if they fought Qaddafi and his people in a man to man battle they would loose and have lost. the only advantage they have are the air forces of america, france, and britain, if they did not come to the aid of the rebels in benghazi last week then this rebellion would of been over by now.

The NATO air strikes halted the Libyan offensive. The counter offensive by the rebels will not be very well co-ordinated and they will not be well trained in tactics and the weapons they have procured and have been waving around. Although AKs and RPG's don't need much skill, which is why child soldiers can use them with ease in Congo etc. The Libyan army will also now have had time to adapt their tactics, so that the air strikes are less of a threat to their activities on the ground. They will be taking the guerilla fight to the rebels directed by senior officers who have probably received training at Sandhurst.

Because what the press doesn't want you to know is 70% of the Libyan population supports the Colonel and he has well-trained fighters coming up from Africa. The rebels are a bunch of guys riding around in pickup trucks fighting against a well-equipped army.

Not exactly going according to plan for Cameron & Co is it - bit like Afghanistan for Teflon Tony.

Just how they expect a ragtag and bobtail bunch of civvies to rout a trained Army on the ground by supporting them from 30,000 feet is slightly beyond my comprehension.

Last week it was "protecting civilians". This week it's "we may supply arms to the rebels". Not exactly within the remit of the UN resolution. But, when you put your hand in a bucketful of sh!t you don't expect to pull it out smelling of roses - unless you're a politician.

I keep hearing "we will not send in ground troops" - I wouldn't hold your breath on that one, especially if it looks like Gaddafi's getting the upper hand.

If the rebels where trained military , then it would seem odd that they get their butts kicked when facing even basically trained troops , but since they are civilians with no military training its surprising that they can even load a weapon never mind use tactics and discipline to hold off trained troops..

Gaddafi has been planning for this event for 40 years and he is ready. Plus, what they don't want you to know is that he has a lot of popular support, and buried arms caches. If we go in there, it will be Iraq times ten.

Because the Col. was launching air and artillery strikes of his own on the rebels,or did you forget? The rebels are not equipped with the heavy bombs, wheel mortars. and planes that the Colonel used withough remorse on his own people as well as the rebel contingent.

Lack of Training

Lack of Organization

Lack of Leader

Lack of Discipline

Lack of Substantial Equipment

Um because Gaddafi's forces are an organized army...

They are a civilian army with limited weapons and training fighting trained soldiers with a large garrison of armaments and trained ruthless soldiers on a pay role.