Posted on 03/20/2011 1:52:50 PM PDT by Hojczyk
Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, has said the military operation in Libya called for by the UN Security Council is not aimed at regime change - adding that a "stalemate" could well exist, leaving Muammar Gaddafi in power.
The 64-year-old admiral also said that no-fly zone had "effectively been established", as Gaddafi's planes had not taken to the skies following Saturday's overnight shelling of dozens of targets in northern Libya.
Anti-aircraft fire was also heard in the Libyan capital on Sunday night, indicating a second wave of incoming jets. Tracer rounds and machine-gun fire was also heard, though there has been no confirmation yet of further attacks.
"In the first 24 hours, operations have established the no-fly zone. French air planes are over Benghazi as we speak and will do that on a 24/7 basis. The operations have taken out some ground forces near Benghazi, taken out air defences, some of his control nodes, some of his airfields, I don’t have all damage assessments, but so far [it's been] very very effective," he said.
Gaddafi "was attacking Benghazi and we are there to stop that ... we are ending his ability to attack us from the ground, so he will not continue to execute his own people."
Mullen, the most senior officer in the US military, denied that any civilians had been killed in the bombardment, which saw some 110 cruise missiles being shot from American naval vessels in the Mediterranean sea.
Libyan state TV has reported that death toll from the air strikes has risen to more than 60.
Mullen also said the US would be handing command of the operation to "a coalition" of militaries, with support coming from the Arab world, as well as NATO members.
(Excerpt) Read more at english.aljazeera.net ...
Make Obama look tough for 2012.
Typical Narcissistic behavior.
They change plans as easily and quickly as they breathe.
“Obama is a complete boob who doesn’t know what he’s doing....”
.
That’s exactly what he wants you to believe — that all his ‘mistakes’ are made in innocent ignorance.
And in the meantime, the destruction of this country continues, unabated.
Obama and the other 5 nations wanted Ghadafi to 'go' and give the power to the Muslims.
Ghadafi went(into hiding) and his wife took the gold bullion that Leaders in the US and the other 5 nations had hidden away in Libya's Main bank, safe from prying eyes and taxes.
So, now they don't care if he stays or goes, but they want the gold, and they will kill him, his army, and his sons, if they have to.
It's always about the money, no matter what they 'say' the reason is.
Should there be a goal? Isn’t the destruction of the US not a laudable goal?
Libya: the West and al-Qaeda on the same side
and THIS is who talked Hillary and Obama into it...
Samantha Power, Irish-born aide, key to Obama Libya attack policy
Al Qaeda likes your spirit.
Quadaffi hates the Al Qaeda - squishes them whenever he gets the chance.
Al Q is cheering obummer on with this...ever ask why?
FACT: This is a CIVIL WAR within the boundaries of a SOVEREIGN nation...between two armed camps.
Libya is threatening no other nation, is not a threat to US.
I took Bush almost 2 YEARS, several UN sanctions and permission - per law - from the Congress and Senate - and had FORTY coalition nations (not 4) before he went into Iraq
Got a hint yet?
“....is not aimed at regime change....”
I truly hate bald faced lies, especially by those in power.
Khadaffi killed hundreds of Americans. I don’t really care if both sides in this civil war wipe each other out.
Yes, and if we do we own the place for the next ten years, how much blood are you willing to spill.
If regime change is not the mission, then what is? If our joint chief of staff doesn’t even know, then we have no business being there. The mission should have been fully articulated ahead of time, and discussed in congress, as all our previous military engagements have been. Obama himself said that Ghadafi must go. It is just like him to waffle. And who are the rebels? Muslim brotherhood? Al Queda? I really don’t know.
Zero is so paranoid about losing polling points for next years election he probably made a deal with France or some other country to get them to takeout Quack daffy. Does not make much sense that funny hat wearing guy is left standing after what will probably be weeks of bombing raids.
I'm in the same camp of confusion.
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