Can The Libyan Rebels Hold Their Ground?

Babak Dehghanpisheh sounds unsure:

There were few signs of an organized defense in Ajdabiya on Monday. Opposition fighters beat a hasty retreat to the town Sunday night after a sustained assault by government loyalists in the oil port of Brega, 50 miles away. And it appeared that they were just barely starting to regroup. The main checkpoints east and west of the town were only lightly defended. A number of antiaircraft guns and pickups loaded up with heavy machine guns were scattered around town; additional ammo also was being brought in to some checkpoints. But there were no signs of trenches or sandbags, the hallmarks of a more conventional defense strategy.

Still, rebel leaders insist the city is beefing up its defenses covertly.