Lehigh U. grad student returns to Libya to fight

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A Lehigh University grad student who returned to his native Libya and is now fighting with rebel forces has shared his stories with students and faculty at the Pennsylvania school directly through a live Skype video-conference call.

Speaking Friday from Benghazi (ben-GAH'-zee), the de facto opposition capital in the eastern half of Libya's Mediterranean coast, 35-year-old Issa Hakim, talked of taking up arms and what he envisions for a new government.

He took questions from students and implored NATO forces to offer more help to the rebels, including very specific requests for anti-tank aircraft to help fight more well-armed forces loyal to Libyan ruler Moammar Gadhafi.

Hakim has remained in close contact with the faculty at Lehigh, and asked for their help in finding a wider audience.