Goal not necessarily to oust Kadhafi: Mullen

WASHINGTON: The immediate objective of the coalition is to protect civilians Libyans with the no-fly zone, not necessarily hard to oust Muammar Gaddafi, leader of the U.S. military announced Sunday.

"The objective of the Security Council of the United Nations was really Benghazi and specifically to protect civilians, " Admiral Mike Mullen told U.S. television Sunday, referring to the rebel stronghold in eastern Libya.

"Clearly we have taken important nodes that remove his ability," the senior U.S. military officer said.

"This is not to go after Qaddafi himself or attack at this moment,"he said. "This is the realization of these goals relatively narrow and limited so that it continues to kill her people and so that humanitarian assistance can be provided, "said Mullen, who is chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. (AFP)