Libya conflict is heading for stalemate warns US

The conflict in Libya is heading towards a “stalemate” despite more than a month of allied air strikes against Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s forces, the most senior American military officer admitted last night.

Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US military’s joint chiefs of staff, said Gaddafi’s ground forces had been degraded by up to 40 per cent. But he stoked fears of a protracted military engagement for British and other Nato forces by warning of a deadlock.

“It’s certainly moving towards a stalemate,” he told American troops during a visit to the Iraqi capital Baghdad.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He added that the allies would “put the squeeze” on the Libyan dictator “until he’s gone”. “Gaddafi’s gotta go,” he said.

The US has deployed unmanned Predator drones for the first time as forces loyal to Col Gaddafi continue to besiege Misrata in the west.

Hundreds of people have been killed as government forces have attacked the city of 300,000 people, with Nato’s air campaign largely unable to strike at the attackers because of their proximity to civilians.

But US Senator John McCain, on a visit to the rebel stronghold of Benghazi in eastern Libya, yesterday said the air campaign needed to be “urgently” stepped up.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said the allies needed to provide rebels with training and weapons to “get this thing over with”.

Mr McCain also echoed fears of a deadlock and warned that it may encourage Islamist extremists to get involved.

“I fear a stalemate that could lead to the emergence of radical Islamic extremists,” he said.

The Libyan government ramped up its rhetoric against Nato, warning that “it will be hell” for the alliance if it sends in ground troops although Western governments say they do not plan full-scale intervention.

Related topics: