VARIOUS: U.S. Vice Admiral Bill Gortney says Muammar Gaddafi's military capability has been reduced as a result of coalition attacks

Record ID: 492056

  • Title: VARIOUS: U.S. Vice Admiral Bill Gortney says Muammar Gaddafi's military capability has been reduced as a result of coalition attacks
  • Date: 26th March 2011
  • Summary: AVIANO AIR BASE, AVIANO, ITALY (MARCH 25, 2011) (REUTERS) F-15 FIGHTER JET TAKING OFF NEAR ISTRES, FRANCE (MARCH 25, 2011) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ARMED WARPLANE IN FLIGHT
  • Embargoed: 10th April 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Italy, Usa, Libya
  • City:
  • Country: Usa Italy Libya
  • Topics: War / Fighting,International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA8OBXRUR88MXJ2EF5Y9LKFAF6M
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Coalition attacks on Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's forces have reduced his ability to exercise command over his ground forces and there are reports he has begun arming volunteers, U.S. Vice Admiral Bill Gortney said on Friday (March 25).
    "His air force cannot fly, his warships are staying in port, his ammunition stores are being destroyed, communication towers are being toppled and his command bunkers are being rendered useless," Gortney told reporters at a Pentagon briefing.
    Gortney, the director of the U.S. military's Joint Staff, said U.S. forces were preparing to hand off control of the no-fly zone over Libya to NATO command but would remain responsible for air-to-ground attacks to protect civilians until an agreement can be reached for their handover.
    "This mission will remain in U.S. hands until such time as the coalition is ready to assume it," he said.
    Most U.S. weapons used against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's forces have been precision arms -- Tomahawk cruise missiles and laser-guided or GPS-guided bombs, Gortney said.
    Gortney said he was "not aware of any use of depleted uranium" munitions in Libya.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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