The Libyan government has unveiled its latest weapon to defend Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's regime from rebel fighters - women.

As the NATO bombing campaign in the country entered its 100th day on Monday, loyalists to Gaddafi paraded their new female fighters in front of the world's media.

The 500 women loyal to the embattled leader had just completed a programme to teach them how to fire weapons, at a base near Tripoli, according to the Guardian.