Context
The Pentagon said it would pull its military jets out of the western air campaign against Libya, hoping that NATO allies can do the job. The announcement on Thursday drew doubtful reactions from many in Congress who question why the administration of President Obama would give up on an important element of the operation to protect Libyan civilians and cripple Muammar Qaddafi’s forces. Robert Gates and Mike Mullen, appearing back-to-back before the Senate and House armed services committees, also strongly argued against the US role in training or arming Libyan rebels, while suggesting that this is a task for Arab countries.
