REBELS STRUGGLING to overcome stalemate in their battle to oust Muammar Gadafy have welcomed the United States’ decision to use Predator drones in Libya, a move Washington insists does not constitute “mission creep”.
Two drones were deployed over Libya yesterday after president Barack Obama authorised their use earlier this week. Gen James Cartwright, vice-chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the drones would fly around-the-clock, focusing initially on targets around Misurata, the besieged rebel-held city on Libya’s western coast where Gadafy’s forces have taken positions in civilian areas.
The rebels have complained that civilians are being killed in places such as Misurata, despite a United Nations resolution passed last month to protect civilians. Hundreds have died in the city, according to human rights groups.
“What [the drones] will bring that is unique to the conflict is their ability to get down lower . . . to be able to get better visibility on targets,” Gen Cartwright said. “They are uniquely suited for urban areas.”
The decision to deploy the pilotless aircraft, which have proved controversial in Pakistan where their use in border areas has led to civilian deaths, marks more direct US involvement in the Libya conflict after it took a back seat following its role in establishing the UN-approved no-fly zone.
However, US defence secretary Robert Gates denied that the move amounted to mission creep, in which Washington was being pulled further into the war.
“I think this is a very limited additional role on our part, but it does provide some additional capabilities to Nato,” he said.
Libya’s deputy foreign minister Khaled Kaim argued that the decision to use drones would result in further civilian casualties. “It’s for the Libyans” to decide their future “not by air strikes and sending money to the rebels,” he said.
Meanwhile, the US army’s top officer said between 30 and 40 per cent of Gadafy’s forces had been destroyed in coalition air strikes.
“I am sure that Nato forces will continue to attrite the military capability of the regime forces,” said Admiral Michael Mullen, but he added that the conflict was “moving towards a stalemate”.
French president Nicolas Sarkozy yesterday indicated his agreement “in principle” to visit Benghazi, the rebels’ de facto capital. Senator John McCain, the most senior Republican on the Senate armed services committee and a strong advocate of intervention in Libya, was in the city yesterday, where he met the rebels’ transitional national council.
He urged the world to consider the council the “legitimate voice of the Libyan people”. Yesterday, Gambia joined France, Qatar and Italy in recognising the council as the only representative of the Libyan people.
McCain also said he supported intensified air strikes against Gadafy’s troops but opposed deploying ground forces to Libya. He said the rebels would be better served by logistical and intelligence support. France, Italy and Britain have said they will send military personnel to eastern Libya to advise the rebels on technical and logistical matters.