'Syrian mercenaries, warplanes aiding Gaddafi'

Report: Libyan rebels shoot down two Syrian planes; Gaddafi hires paid fighters from Eastern Europe, Arab countries.

Libyan rebels using anti-aircraft gun 311 R (photo credit: Reuters)
Libyan rebels using anti-aircraft gun 311 R
(photo credit: Reuters)
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi is using paid mercenaries from Serbia, Syria, the Ukraine and Romania to attack rebels, Asharq al-Awsat reported.
According to Al Jazeera, Libyan rebels shot down two Syrian planes in Ras Lanuf.
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Syria denied the claims, Israel Radio reported.
Forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi advanced east of the recaptured town of Bin Jawad on Sunday, heading towards the rebel-held oil town of Ras Lanuf, about 60 km (40 miles) away, witnesses said.
"I went to Bin Jawad and about 13 miles beforehand I saw Gaddafi forces, a large truck and army vehicles, and a fighter jet, they were coming slowly in this direction," Ahmed al-Araibi, a driver, told Reuters.
"I saw army trucks ahead, I was about 20 km away (from Bin Jawad)," said Khalifa Saad, another driver. While another witness said there were several trucks heading to Ras Lanuf.
A BBC reporter also showed Reuters footage from Sunday of a truck and warplane near Bin Jawad, heading towards Ras Lanuf.