THE DOMINO EFFECT IN THE MIDDLE EAST
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Re: THE DOMINO EFFECT IN THE MIDDLE EAST
@TIME
PHOTOS: Signs of torture & execution in Libyan police station discovered by photographers | http://ti.me/g2wdO5
7 minutes ago via HootSuite
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Re: THE DOMINO EFFECT IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Hi Carmen, the no fly zone was bound to fail because it would be too difficult to differentiate between rebels and civilians without Observers on the ground reporting their findings.
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Re: THE DOMINO EFFECT IN THE MIDDLE EAST
I don't think you could put observers into the Libyan cauldron - that would be signing death certs. NFZ was working before NATO took command. Civilians are still being killed, probably more so now than under previous command.
@SkyNewsBreak
Reuters: Libyan rebels say Gaddafi forces trying to enter Misratah from the East
4 minutes ago via SkyNews Alerts - Breaking
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Re: THE DOMINO EFFECT IN THE MIDDLE EAST
@cencio4
Two Italian AF C-130Js flew today to Benghazi airport to bring aid and to evacuate wounded from Misratah. Acft departed from Brindisi
2 minutes ago via TweetDeck
Reply Retweet
@ksnavarra
ALERT: #EU sources say awaiting green light from #UN for 'humanitarian mission' to #Misurata to launch #Eufor_Libya
2 minutes ago via TweetDeck
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Re: THE DOMINO EFFECT IN THE MIDDLE EAST
@bencnn
In Ajdabiya saw, filmed body of dead opposition fighter with wires on wrists, feet bound, 2 bullet holes in chest. Executed by Libyan Army?
7 minutes ago via web
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Re: THE DOMINO EFFECT IN THE MIDDLE EAST
I watched the News today and very fierce fighting going on in Ajdabiya and the Rebels giving ground. If the UN thought Gaddafi would give up his Country without a fight and go into exile, they underestimated him.
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Re: THE DOMINO EFFECT IN THE MIDDLE EAST
also an african union delegation visiting gaddhafi
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Re: THE DOMINO EFFECT IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Badboy wrote:also an african union delegation visiting gaddhafi
What for Badboy? Could it be to suggest Libya be split in two as it was many years ago. ? This was mentioned on the news today. Who gets all the Oil though?
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Re: THE DOMINO EFFECT IN THE MIDDLE EAST
@iyad_elbaghdadi
Ajdabia is now secured, many Gaddafi mercenaries killed & captured. NATO bombed some of their troops too. #Libya
less than a minute ago via web
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Re: THE DOMINO EFFECT IN THE MIDDLE EAST
carmen wrote:@iyad_elbaghdadi
Ajdabia is now secured, many Gaddafi mercenaries killed & captured. NATO bombed some of their troops too. #Libya
less than a minute ago via web
That"s good news but the violence and torture is escalating. Maybe it will end up as a divided Country, Gaddafi is not going to walk away .
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Re: THE DOMINO EFFECT IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Just on the News, Gaddafi centre stage with the African Leaders, there is little hope that they will persuade him to leave Libya or concede any
of the Rebells demands.
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Re: THE DOMINO EFFECT IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Ceasefire talks between Libya's rebel leaders and African Union delegates has broken down because the deal did not demand Colonel Muammar Gaddafi quit.
AU representatives went to Benghazi to discuss a peace plan that had earlier been struck with Colonel Gaddafi in Tripoli.
But after four hours of talks, the rebels rejected the terms of the ceasefire deal.
Sky's Tim Marshall, reporting from Benghazi, said a communique read: "The proposal did not include Gaddafi and his family from standing down.
"Any reforms which were included would be within the Gaddafi regime and that is also unacceptable.
They went further - sending an implicit warning to the aging leader.
"Col Gaddafi and his family should leave the country of their own free will before the people arrive at their door," a rebel statement said.
If the rebels stick to their position that Colonel Gaddafi must step down before any ceasefire or talks begin that would probably collapse the process.
Read blog by Sky's Tim Marshall
Upon the arrival of the AU delegation to the eastern city, thousands of protesters gathered to chant "no negotiations with a dictator".
The rebels have demanded Col Gaddafi stand down from power since their first uprising.
Furthermore, the US has been clear in its desire to see a transition in Libya that entails Col Gaddafi's departure.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in Washington: "We have made it very clear that we want to see a ceasefire.
"We want to see the Libyan regime forces pull back from the areas that they have forcibly entered.
Col Gaddafi Agrees To AU Deal
"We want to see a resumption of water, electricity and other services to cities that have been brutalized by the Gaddafi forces.
"We want to see humanitarian assistance reach the people of Libya. These terms
are non-negotiable."
Col Gaddafi apparently agreed to a ceasefire after talks in the capital with a five-strong AU delegation, led by South African president Jacob Zuma.
The deal would have seen his forces lay down their weapons if the rebels did the same and Nato called off all strikes.
Col Gaddafi has previously agreed to two other ceasefires, neither of which was upheld.
Col Gaddafi and his family should leave the country of their own free will before the people arrive at their door.
Rebel statement following the breakdown of ceasefire talks
However, there was also pressure on the rebels to attempt to find a compromise so as not to look intransigent.
The deal agreed in Tripoli contained four key points, including an "immediate cessation of all hostilities" and a "transitional period towards reform".
The other main strands of the plan are "the facilitation of diligent delivery of humanitarian aid" and "the protection of foreign nationals".
It also outlined an agreement for the "deployment of an effective monitoring mechanism for ceasefire", but it was not clear whether this would involve African Union troops.
The AU's commissioner for peace and security, Ramtane Lamamra was asked whether the question of Col Gaddafi's leadership was raised at the talks.
"We agreed that the future leadership of the country should be left up to the Libyan people," he said.
"It is not up to outside forces."
Mr Zuma pronounced himself "optimistic" a deal could be agreed, however he angered rebels by referring to Colonel Gaddafi as "our dear brother leader".
News of the failed deal came as Nato said coalition airstrikes had taken out at least 26 regime tanks near Misratah and Ajdabiya.
On Wednesday, a meeting will take place in Qatar between the countries that backed the UN air strikes in Libya to assess the state of play four weeks into the military campaign.
Britain, France and the US will meet with Morocco, Qatar and Jordan as well as the Arab League and Nato, but the agenda for the conference is not yet known.
AU representatives went to Benghazi to discuss a peace plan that had earlier been struck with Colonel Gaddafi in Tripoli.
But after four hours of talks, the rebels rejected the terms of the ceasefire deal.
Sky's Tim Marshall, reporting from Benghazi, said a communique read: "The proposal did not include Gaddafi and his family from standing down.
"Any reforms which were included would be within the Gaddafi regime and that is also unacceptable.
They went further - sending an implicit warning to the aging leader.
"Col Gaddafi and his family should leave the country of their own free will before the people arrive at their door," a rebel statement said.
If the rebels stick to their position that Colonel Gaddafi must step down before any ceasefire or talks begin that would probably collapse the process.
Read blog by Sky's Tim Marshall
Upon the arrival of the AU delegation to the eastern city, thousands of protesters gathered to chant "no negotiations with a dictator".
The rebels have demanded Col Gaddafi stand down from power since their first uprising.
Furthermore, the US has been clear in its desire to see a transition in Libya that entails Col Gaddafi's departure.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in Washington: "We have made it very clear that we want to see a ceasefire.
"We want to see the Libyan regime forces pull back from the areas that they have forcibly entered.
Col Gaddafi Agrees To AU Deal
"We want to see a resumption of water, electricity and other services to cities that have been brutalized by the Gaddafi forces.
"We want to see humanitarian assistance reach the people of Libya. These terms
are non-negotiable."
Col Gaddafi apparently agreed to a ceasefire after talks in the capital with a five-strong AU delegation, led by South African president Jacob Zuma.
The deal would have seen his forces lay down their weapons if the rebels did the same and Nato called off all strikes.
Col Gaddafi has previously agreed to two other ceasefires, neither of which was upheld.
Col Gaddafi and his family should leave the country of their own free will before the people arrive at their door.
Rebel statement following the breakdown of ceasefire talks
However, there was also pressure on the rebels to attempt to find a compromise so as not to look intransigent.
The deal agreed in Tripoli contained four key points, including an "immediate cessation of all hostilities" and a "transitional period towards reform".
The other main strands of the plan are "the facilitation of diligent delivery of humanitarian aid" and "the protection of foreign nationals".
It also outlined an agreement for the "deployment of an effective monitoring mechanism for ceasefire", but it was not clear whether this would involve African Union troops.
The AU's commissioner for peace and security, Ramtane Lamamra was asked whether the question of Col Gaddafi's leadership was raised at the talks.
"We agreed that the future leadership of the country should be left up to the Libyan people," he said.
"It is not up to outside forces."
Mr Zuma pronounced himself "optimistic" a deal could be agreed, however he angered rebels by referring to Colonel Gaddafi as "our dear brother leader".
News of the failed deal came as Nato said coalition airstrikes had taken out at least 26 regime tanks near Misratah and Ajdabiya.
On Wednesday, a meeting will take place in Qatar between the countries that backed the UN air strikes in Libya to assess the state of play four weeks into the military campaign.
Britain, France and the US will meet with Morocco, Qatar and Jordan as well as the Arab League and Nato, but the agenda for the conference is not yet known.
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Re: THE DOMINO EFFECT IN THE MIDDLE EAST
THERE IS AN ARTICLE ABOUT REBELS IN TRIPOLI THAT SAYS MOST NIGHTS THERE ARE ATTACKS ON GADDHAFI'S CHECKPOINTS,THERE IS EVEN TALK OF DOING SUICIDE BOMBINGS.
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Re: THE DOMINO EFFECT IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Badboy wrote:THERE IS AN ARTICLE ABOUT REBELS IN TRIPOLI THAT SAYS MOST NIGHTS THERE ARE ATTACKS ON GADDHAFI'S CHECKPOINTS,THERE IS EVEN TALK OF DOING SUICIDE BOMBINGS.
Badboy, Whose doiung the bombing? I understood the rebels have not got any Planes.
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Re: THE DOMINO EFFECT IN THE MIDDLE EAST
PERHAPS THEY ARE THINKING OF DOING EXPLOSIVE STRAPPED TO BODY SUICIDE ATTACKS
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Re: THE DOMINO EFFECT IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Badboy wrote:PERHAPS THEY ARE THINKING OF DOING EXPLOSIVE STRAPPED TO BODY SUICIDE ATTACKS
Wouldn"t that be risky though? Unless they infiltrated an Army Barracks (they wouldn"t get near Gaddafi) civilians would be hurt. It"s no good the U.K,
#France and the U>S> saying Gaddafi must go, it is his Country and he still has a lot of support . If an overthrow takes place it has to come from within,
and his Sons don"t appear ready to betray him.
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Re: THE DOMINO EFFECT IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Sky News
Libya 'Uses Cluster Bombs' In Rebel City Share Comments
3:25am UK, Saturday April 16, 2011
Libya's military has fired cluster munitions into residential areas as it battles rebels for control of the western city of Misratah, a human rights group says.
Cluster munitions release dozens or even hundreds of small bomblets (HRW)
Human Rights Watch (HRW) said it saw at least three of the controversial devices - which scatter a number of smaller bomblets over the target - explode over the al Shawahda neighborhood on April 14.
Researchers also inspected the remnants of a cluster submunition discovered by a New York Times reporter, which the group said was from a Spanish-produced mortar projectile.
The area where HRW witnessed the use of cluster munitions is near the front line in the fighting which has raged for six weeks.
However, Libyan government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim rejected the allegations.
"I challenge them to prove it, he said. "To use these bombs, the evidence would remain for days and weeks, and we know the international community is coming en masse to our country soon, so we can't do this."
Libya has invited the UN children's fund to visit Misratah and on Saturday a Red Crescent and Red Cross team will go there, he said.
Researchers said the cluster munition they examined was Spanish-made (HRW)
HRW said it had not been able to confirm if civilians had been killed or wounded by cluster munitions in Misratah, but said their use was "appalling".
"They pose a huge risk to civilians, both during attacks because of their indiscriminate nature and afterward because of the still-dangerous unexploded duds scattered about," said Steve Goose, arms division director at HRW.
The majority of countries in the world have banned the use of cluster munitions through the Convention on Cluster Munitions, but Libya is not among the signatories.
The accusations came as Colonel Gaddafi's forces bombarded Misratah with hundreds of rockets and reportedly battled their way into the city centre.
"Today was very tough ... Gaddafi's forces entered Tripoli Street and Nakl al Theqeel road," a rebel spokesman said.
"Witnesses said they saw pro-Gaddafi soldiers on foot in the city centre today. Except for snipers, they usually stay in their tanks and armoured vehicles."
Anti-Gaddafi forces in Misratah have complained that Nato is not doing enough to help them and it was reported that a Libyan military reconnaissance helicopter was able to fly over the city on Friday.
Britain and France are seeking to convince Nato allies to provide greater fire power, but US President Barack Obama confirmed that the US will not increases its military role.
Libya 'Uses Cluster Bombs' In Rebel City Share Comments
3:25am UK, Saturday April 16, 2011
Libya's military has fired cluster munitions into residential areas as it battles rebels for control of the western city of Misratah, a human rights group says.
Cluster munitions release dozens or even hundreds of small bomblets (HRW)
Human Rights Watch (HRW) said it saw at least three of the controversial devices - which scatter a number of smaller bomblets over the target - explode over the al Shawahda neighborhood on April 14.
Researchers also inspected the remnants of a cluster submunition discovered by a New York Times reporter, which the group said was from a Spanish-produced mortar projectile.
The area where HRW witnessed the use of cluster munitions is near the front line in the fighting which has raged for six weeks.
However, Libyan government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim rejected the allegations.
"I challenge them to prove it, he said. "To use these bombs, the evidence would remain for days and weeks, and we know the international community is coming en masse to our country soon, so we can't do this."
Libya has invited the UN children's fund to visit Misratah and on Saturday a Red Crescent and Red Cross team will go there, he said.
Researchers said the cluster munition they examined was Spanish-made (HRW)
HRW said it had not been able to confirm if civilians had been killed or wounded by cluster munitions in Misratah, but said their use was "appalling".
"They pose a huge risk to civilians, both during attacks because of their indiscriminate nature and afterward because of the still-dangerous unexploded duds scattered about," said Steve Goose, arms division director at HRW.
The majority of countries in the world have banned the use of cluster munitions through the Convention on Cluster Munitions, but Libya is not among the signatories.
The accusations came as Colonel Gaddafi's forces bombarded Misratah with hundreds of rockets and reportedly battled their way into the city centre.
"Today was very tough ... Gaddafi's forces entered Tripoli Street and Nakl al Theqeel road," a rebel spokesman said.
"Witnesses said they saw pro-Gaddafi soldiers on foot in the city centre today. Except for snipers, they usually stay in their tanks and armoured vehicles."
Anti-Gaddafi forces in Misratah have complained that Nato is not doing enough to help them and it was reported that a Libyan military reconnaissance helicopter was able to fly over the city on Friday.
Britain and France are seeking to convince Nato allies to provide greater fire power, but US President Barack Obama confirmed that the US will not increases its military role.
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Re: THE DOMINO EFFECT IN THE MIDDLE EAST
bencnn
Misrata is NOT "total chaos". Situation is extremely difficult, but city is well organised, defended with bravery and determination. #Libya
about 2 hours ago via web
Retweeted by you and 100+ others
Reply Retweeted (Undo)
bencnn
Another young man, his leg amputated Sunday, screaming on board ship in horrific pain. #Libya
about 2 hours ago via web
Retweeted by you and 55 others
bencnn
Another severely wounded would-be evacuee had to be turned back because doctors feared he would die during voyage. #Libya
about 2 hours ago via web
bencnn
One of Misrata evacuees, a man who cooked meals for refugees, had to have both legs and an arm amputated after rocket attack. #Libya
about 2 hours ago via web
bencnn
UN Security Council Resolution 1973 calls for protection of civilians. Misrata doctor tells me "they are not protected at all." #Libya
about 2 hours ago via web
bencnn
In Qasr Ahmed clinic in Misrata, all the wounded are either young or old. All civilians hit either by snipers or rocket shrapnel. #Libya
about 2 hours ago via web
bencnn
Ca. 900 people evacuated from Misrata last night-from West Africa, Philippines, etc. plus 23 badly wounded people going to Benghazi #Libya
about 2 hours ago via web
bencnn
Misrata residents say Qaddafi forces firing missiles into the city, hitting residential areas randomly. #Libya
about 2 hours ago via web
bencnn
Obama, Sarkozy and Cameron described siege of Misrata as "medieval". Their description is accurate. #Libya
about 2 hours ago via web
bencnn
Misrata residents say NATO air strikes few and far between, but potential targets are many. #Libya
about 2 hours ago via web
bencnn
On ship back from Misrata. Situation there critical. Under bombardment. Under siege. Short of medicine. Not short of courage. #Libya
about 2 hours ago via web
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Re: THE DOMINO EFFECT IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Thanks Carmen,
I saw the News yesterday and the Hospital is jam packed with people injured by the cluster bomb, one young innocent lad had damage to his spine and will never walk again. Iv"e got a horrible feeling Cameron is not averse to sending Troops in,
but he doesn"t want to upset the Arab League Hundreds of non Libyan workers are trying to leave.
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Re: THE DOMINO EFFECT IN THE MIDDLE EAST
REBELS HAVE SEIZED CONTROL OF A BORDER CROSSING WITH TUNISIA.
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Re: THE DOMINO EFFECT IN THE MIDDLE EAST
The West African nation of Gambia has expelled Libyan diplomats, saying it is recognising Libya's opposition Transitional National Council as the only legitimate body representing Libyan interests.
A presidential statement read on state broadcasters said the government was "freezing and closing all the assets in Gambia held on behalf or in the name of" Gaddafi, including a luxury hotel and a children's amusement park.
The statement cited by the AFP news agency said:
This move is taken on account of the heinous atrocities that are being carried out by the Gaddafi regime against innocent citizens and which have seen to date massive loss of life and wanton destruction of properties in Libya.
Diplomatic sources in Gambia were reported as saying about 20 people have been affected by the move, with orders out for "all staff of the Libyan embassy in Banjul representing the Gaddafi government to leave the country within 72 hours".
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-april-22
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Re: THE DOMINO EFFECT IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Canadian and Tuinisian Doctors are geared to treat Patients on a ship outside Misrata. Apparently there are 7oo Libyans with serious injuries waiting to be treated and the Libyan Hospital can"t cope.
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Re: THE DOMINO EFFECT IN THE MIDDLE EAST
REBELS IN MISRATA HAVE SEIZED THE INSURANCE BUILDING FROM WHICH GADDHAFI'S SNIPERS WERE FIRING FROM,CIVILIANS WERE GOING AROUND SQUARE WHICH IS NOW SAFE TO ROAM AROUND
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Re: THE DOMINO EFFECT IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Khaled Kaim, Libya's deputy foreign minister, has said that pro-government forces will withdraw from Misurata, leaving the tribes to deal with the rebels.
"The situation in Misurata will be dealt with by the tribes around Misurata and Misurata's residents and not by the Libyan army," Kaim told journalists late on Friday.
"We will leave the tribes around Misrata and Misrata's people to deal with the situation, either using force or negotiation."
Kaim's announcement is a turning point for the besieged city, which has come under heavy fire from forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Fears of stalemate
It comes as John McCain, a US senator who is one of the strongest proponents in the US congress of American military intervention in Libya, said he was worried the battle between Gaddafi's troops and rebel forces was reaching a stalemate that could "open the door to radical Islamic fundamentalism".
McCain also denied during a visit to Benghazi concerns about the possibility of extremist or al-Qaeda elements fighting alongside the pro-democracy forces, telling Al Jazeera "they [opposition fighters] are my heroes".
Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US military's joint chiefs of staff, offered a similar assessment.
"We're watchful of it, mindful of it and I just haven't seen much of it at all. In fact, I've seen no al-Qaeda representation there at all," he said during a visit to the Iraqi capital Baghdad.
Mullen acknowledged that the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, which waged a failed armed uprising against Gaddafi's rule in the 1990s, had "stirred a little bit".
He said air strikes had hobbled Libyan forces, but admitted the conflict was moving into "stalemate" as Gaddafi's troops pressed on with their punishing siege in the western city of Misurata.
Need for transitional government
McCain called on Washington to recognise Libyan rebels' transitional council as the true voice of the Libyan people and transfer frozen assets to them.
He also said that the NATO air campaign should be intensified, adding that Western allies should provide rebels with training, weapons and command-and-control activities to help overthrow Muammar Gaddafi, Libya's longtime leader.
"I would encourage every nation, especially the United States, to recognise the transitional national council as the legitimate voice of the Libyan people," McCain said, speaking to reporters in the eastern rebel stronghold of Benghazi on Friday.
"They have earned this right and Gaddafi has forfeited it by waging war on his own people."
Al Jazeera's Mike Hanna, reporting from Benghazi, says broader recognition "gives the transitional council a legal standing which it does not at the moment enjoy" along with "extra finance" and "greater political authenticity within Libya itself".
"If the council is recognised as the authentic voice of the Libyan people, then they could receive those funds that have been frozen abroad from the Gaddafi regime," he said.
McCain is the first from the United States to visit Benghazi since the conflict broke out in late February, made the trip to Libya on his own.
An aide said he met rebel leaders including finance chief Ali Tarhouni and armed forces head Abdel Fattah Younes.
The US senator's arrival came close on the heels of the US president approving the use of armed drones in Libya against ground forces for the first time since America handed over the military operation to NATO.
'No mission creep'
Predator drones have routinely been flying surveillance missions in Libya, Robert Gates, the US defence secretary, said at a Pentagon briefing on Thursday.
He said the US will provide up to two 24-hour combat air patrols each day by the unmanned Predators.
Gates rejected the notion that the approval of drone strikes means that the US will get pulled slowly back into a more active combat role, despite Barack Obama, US president, vowing to merely provide support for NATO.
Gates said that bringing in the Predators will give NATO a critical capability that the US uniquely can contribute.
"I think this is a very limited additional role on our part, but it does provide some additional capabilities to NATO," Gates said.
"And if we can make a modest contribution with these armed Predators, we'll do it. ... I don't think any of us see that as mission creep."
The first armed drone mission since Obama's go-ahead was flown on Thursday, but the aircraft, armed with Hellfire missiles, turned back due to poor weather conditions without firing any of its munitions.
Marine General James Cartwright, vice-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the drones can help counteract the pro-Gaddafi forces' tactic of travelling in civilian vehicles that make it difficult to distinguish them from rebel forces.
"What they will bring that is unique to the conflict is their ability to get down lower, therefore to be able to get better visibility on targets that have started to dig themselves into defensive positions," Cartwright said.
Gates, who publicly expressed scepticism about getting involved militarily in Libya before Obama endorsed the limited intervention, said "the real work" of overthrowing Gaddafi will have to be done by the Libyans themselves.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/04/2011422214612294169.html
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