Premature celebration? Rebels cheer, but the war against Gaddafi is far from won. Photo from The Daily MailWilliam Hague Admits Libya Campaign Could Continue Beyond Christmas -- The Telegraph
The military campaign against Col Muammar Gaddafi could last beyond Christmas, Foreign Secretary William Hague has said in an admission that the Libyan leader is proving harder to dislodge than expected.
Britain and France have been attacking Col Gaddafi's forces since March and, over the weekend, British Army Apache attack helicopters were deployed for the first time. A second raid overnight destroyed a multiple missile launcher near the town of Brega on the eastern front.
Ministers have portrayed the Gaddafi regime as crumbling from within, but Mr Hague told the BBC there was no time limit to the military operation, and admitted that Col Gaddafi could cling to power for some time to come. "It could be days or weeks or months," he said.
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More News ON How Long Libya's Civil War May Last
Fighting in Libya 'could last until Christmas' as Gaddafi clings on, 'for months' -- The Daily Mail
Britain says 'no deadline' for Libya operation -- AFP
Libyan clash could last for months, says Hague -- Sydney Morning Herald
Armed forces may still be in Libya at Christmas -- Mirror.com
Military campaign against Gaddafi regime could last beyond Christmas: Hague -- Daily India/ANI
No Libya military deadline, says William Hague after meeting rebels -- The Guardian
My Comment: So much for the earlier boasts from European leaders that the revolution in Libya would be over soon. The sad fact is that the Libya rebel army is far from ready to confront Gaddafi, and Gaddafi has enough resources and remnants of his military left who can provide an adequate defense. Bottom line .... unless there is a change in NATO strategy (or putting boots on the ground) .... this war has the capacity to last for a very long time.