In Libya, new rifts open in international coalition

By Greg Jaffe and Karen DeYoung,
WashPost
Monday, March 21, 9:35 PM

Three days of heavy airstrikes have highlighted the murky nature of U.S. goals in Libya and opened up new rifts among key members of the international coalition involved in the effort.

Gen. Carter Ham, the U.S. commander leading the operation, said his mission, which was focused on protecting civilians from attacks by regime loyalists, was “pretty clear.” But executing that mission on an increasingly chaotic battlefield that includes opposition forces, government troops and civilians has proved to be dauntingly complex for military commanders.

Commanders, Ham said, have found themselves in the position of having to distinguish between attacks by regime forces on innocent civilians, who clearly require protection, and pitched military battles between rebels and forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi.

Under the U.N. mandate authorizing the mission, international fighter pilots are not permitted to intervene in battles between Libya’s forces and the loosely organized rebels.

(More here.)