Libya's tribal structure plays a crucial role in its politics and now in the pro-democracy opposition movement as well.
Muammar Gadaffi has, for four decades, been at the helm of a country that is described as one of the most complex tribal nations in the Middle East.
Analysts say most of the major tribes are represented in the military but Gadaafi has long relied on his own tribe the Qathafa to staff elite security brigades.
Al Jazeera's Charles Stratford has this report.
