U.S. official: Fewer assets devoted to Libya already

Smoke billows as Libyan rebels progress westward from Bin Jawad toward Moammar Gadhafi's hometown of Sirte on Monday. STORY HIGHLIGHTSAt least 2 ships not involved in daily operations nowU.S. doesn't need to be able to fire as many Tomahawk missiles, official saysPresence won't be drastically reduced yetRELATED TOPICSLibyaMoammar GadhafiUnited StatesWar and Conflict (CNN) -- The U.S. military has already reduced its day-to-day presence in the operation in and around Libya, according to a defense official."Some of the ships have peeled off, but are still in the region," said the official, who declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the mission. At least two of the ships involved in the initial phase of establishing the no-fly zone over Libya are no longer involved in day-to-day operations, the official said.The U.S. still "would still keep the capability to fire Tomahawk missiles, but they're not needed as much. So the ships that have that capability may go to other spots as needed," the defense official said. There is still enough capability to do what the U.S. has to do, he said."The USS Providence has now moved on to previously assigned tasking, having completed all strikes missions assigned to her," Vice Adm. Bill Gortney told reporters at the Pentagon on Monday.While drawing down on the assets that can fire Tomahawk missiles, the official said the U.S. would not drastically reduce its presence while Moammar Gadhafi's forces are still capable of mounting resistance and attacks."You still see anti-aircraft fire shooting off at night, which means the capability is still there" to shoot down planes, the official said. "We don't want to get too low on manpower, not yet."

View the Original article

Read more »

Posted in: already,assets,devoted,Fewer,Libya,official:

Reactions to Obama's address on Libya

By the CNN Wire Staff STORY HIGHLIGHTSNEW: Bill Richardson: Obama explained the purpose -- to avert a humanitarian disasterSen. John McCain: Obama saying regime change won't be pursued militarily is "puzzling" CNN's Fareed Zakaria: "Important" speech explains U.S. military response is limitedRudolph Giuliani: "The president's speech tonight has made things even murkier" (CNN) -- In a televised address Monday night, U.S. President Barack Obama explained the reasons he involved the U.S. military in the U.N.-authorized mission in Libya, saying "it was not in our national interest" to let the citizens of a rebel stronghold suffer a massacre at the hands of approaching pro-government forces.

Obama also said that NATO would take full control of the military mission on Wednesday.

Following is a collection of reactions from people including U.S. politicians and political analysts.

U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona:

View the Original article

Read more »

Posted in: address,Libya,Obama's,Reactions

Analysts debate goals of Obama Libya speech

What to expect from Obama's Libya speechSTORY HIGHLIGHTSNEW: Sen. McConnell asks Obama to explain America's security interest in LibyaHistorian Doris Kearns Goodwin says Obama needs to explain the U.S. military interventionThe president speaks to the nation Monday night amid fierce debateSome critics worry about the U.S. engaging in another war in a mainly Muslim countryTune in to CNN, CNN.com/live, or on the CNN app for iPhone tonight at 7:30 ET for live coverage of President Obama's speech on Libya. Then at 8 and 9 p.m., get expert analysis on "In the Arena" and "Piers Morgan Tonight" -- only on CNN.

Washington (CNN) -- President Barack Obama plans to address the nation at 7:30 p.m. ET Monday, following calls from across the political spectrum for the U.S. leader to clarify America's role in the U.N.-authorized military mission in Libya.

Both Democrats and Republicans have criticized the president's policy in the war-torn North African nation. Among other things, they have questioned the purpose of the mission, as well as its cost, endgame, and consequences for the broader Arab world.

Obama will speak at the National Defense University in Washington "to update the American people on the situation in Libya, including the actions we've taken with allies and partners to protect the Libyan people from the brutality of Moammar Gadhafi, the transition to NATO command and control, and our policy going forward," the White House announced Sunday.

The president has said that U.S. policy is the ouster of Gadhafi. However, the mandate of the military coalition is only to enforce a no-fly zone and arms embargo in Libya while taking other necessary steps to protect civilians.

"If the American people are uncertain as to our military objectives in Libya, it's with good cause," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, said Monday afternoon.

View the Original article

Read more »

Posted in: Analysts,debate,goals,Libya,Obama,speech

NATO: Libya mission will be to protect, not arm

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen: "We are there to protect civilians ... and that will be our focus." STORY HIGHLIGHTSNEW: NATO is expected to control no-fly zone by end of the day MondayNATO's secretary general says NATO's goal is to protect civilians"We are not in Libya to arm people, but to protect people," he saidNATO is taking the lead in enforcing the U.N. resolution Tune in to CNN tonight at 7 ET for live coverage of President Obama's speech on Libya . Then at 8 and 9 p.m., get expert analysis on "In the Arena" and "Piers Morgan Tonight" -- only on CNN.

Brussels, Belgium (CNN) -- NATO's secretary general ruled out arming Libyan rebels Monday as the alliance continued to take over command and control of the entire Libyan mission.

The first NATO sorties to maintain the no-fly zone over Libya flew on Sunday, NATO officials said. The alliance is expected to be in complete command of the no-fly zone by the end of the day Monday.

The mission of protecting civilians is expected to be under full NATO control by the end of the week, they said.

By taking control of the full mission, NATO will allow the United States to step out of its lead role and more into a supporting one as requested by the Obama administration.

In an interview with CNN here at NATO headquarters, Anders Fogh Rasmussen said, "The U.N. mandate authorizes the enforcement of an arms embargo," and that NATO has decided to participate. "We are not in Libya to arm people, but to protect people," he said.

View the Original article

Read more »

Posted in: Libya,mission,NATO:,protect

NATO considers expanded role in Libya

U.S. military aircraft are on the move at Aviano Air Base, in Italy, on Friday. STORY HIGHLIGHTSNATO to take over no-fly zone by MondayAlliance also discussing whether to take over entire missionAn operations plan was drafted, but needs unanimous consent Brussels, Belgium (CNN) -- As NATO prepares to take over responsibility for the no-fly zone in Libya, the 28-member alliance on Sunday was also debating a separate plan to expand military actions in the country at war.

NATO's military committee approved an operations plan early Sunday that would shift the entire Libyan mission to alliance command, including rules of engagement. This technical approval now requires unanimous political consent from all members before NATO officially takes the operation over.

As NATO ambassadors prepared to meet Sunday evening in Brussels to discuss the plan, NATO sources said it was not a done deal and divisions remained about if and when to engage in airstrikes against Libyan ground forces.

At the same time, NATO was putting the final touches on its takeover of the no-fly zone over Libya. The handover from the United States and allies should be complete by Monday. NATO officials described the transition as phased and seamless operation.

View the Original article

Read more »

Posted in: considers,expanded,Libya

Rebels claim another key oil city in Libya

Rebels capture cities in LibyaSTORY HIGHLIGHTSRebel fighters appear to have control of Ras LanufOpposition forces are securing al-Brega's entranceCoalition airstrikes continue as NATO prepares to take command of the Libya missionLibya's deputy foreign minister says coalition airstrikes target the country's military Ras Lanuf, Libya (CNN) -- Libyan rebels continued their westward advance Sunday, taking operational control of two key cities, Ras Lanuf and al-Brega, CNN observed.

Rebel forces told CNN that forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi pulled back from the city. A CNN crew in Ras Lanuf witnessed damaged vehicles on the outskirts of the town, though the town appeared to have avoided major destruction.

There were some homes that appeared burned, and others had gaping holes. The damage appeared to be from fighting when Gadhafi's forces had originally pushed the rebels out. There were no clashes reported Sunday, rebels said.

The gains signify that the rebel forces have reclaimed all of the territory they lost to Gadhafi's forces at the start of the war. The opposition comeback was paved in part by coalition airstrikes designed to stop the killings of civilians, and that have hit Gadhafi's forces.

Some opposition fighters focused on securing the al-Brega's entrance Sunday while others traveled in trucks heading west, encountering little resistance along the way.

View the Original article

Read more »

Posted in: another,claim,Libya,Rebels

White House defends Libya response

President Obama steps off Marine One at the White House on Wednesday after a five-day trip to Latin America. STORY HIGHLIGHTSNEW: Jay Carney insists military action in Libya will be limited in time and scopeNEW: Carney says the White House has been responsive to critics and questions Critics of Obama's Libya policy say he has been unclear on U.S. objectivesAdministration defenders say Obama needed to assemble an international coalition Washington (CNN) -- The Obama administration strongly defended its handling of the Libyan crisis Thursday, drawing a clear line between military and political objectives while dismissing criticism that it has failed to adequately consult with members of Congress.

"We are not engaged in militarily-driven regime change," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters. Instead, the administration is engaged in "time-limited, scope-limited" action with other countries to protect civilians from forces loyal to strongman Moammar Gadhafi.

American armed forces will be transitioning to a "support and assist" role in the international coalition within a matter of days, he promised. U.S. ground troops will not be sent into Libya, he stressed.

The goal of the U.N.-sanctioned military mission is strictly to prevent a humanitarian crisis. President Obama, however, has also said the administration's ultimate objective is Gadhafi's removal from power. U.S. officials have indicated they hope Gadhafi will be removed quickly by forces currently loyal to him, though they haven't publicly called for a coup.

Carney listed a series of recent meetings, hearings and briefings by top officials -- including the president -- with members of Congress on Libya. The list was produced in response to accusations by House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and others that the White House failed to properly consult with legislators before launching the Libyan mission.

View the Original article

Read more »

Posted in: defends,House,Libya,response,White