Strikes crippled Libya air capability: Pentagon

WASHINGTON: The Western strikes on Libyan air defenses during the last two days had paralyzed the ability of Muammar Gaddafi to launch aircraft and detect foreign aircraft, a senior U.S. military official said Sunday.
"We believe that these strikes have been very effective in the ability of significantly degrading the air defense system," Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, director of the U.S. Army Joint Staff, told reporters at the Pentagon.
"There was no air activity by the new regime and we have not detected any emission of a radar air defense sites targeted," said Gortney. "There was a significant decrease the use of all air surveillance radar Jamahiriya. "
The strikes began on Saturday as a coalition of Western countries promised to prevent Gaddafi attacks against civilians, he seeks to crush an uprising against his regime for four decades.
Gortney said Libya's declaration of a new ceasefire on Sunday was not credible.
"I wonder what it is that Gaddafi calls. He called a ceasefire, then told his troops to move in Benghazi after calling for a ceasefire, "said Gortney.
As smoke rose above Tripoli, the manager of the presidential palace in Libya, said Gadhafi Gortney has not been targeted by coalition air strikes.
"We're not going after al-Gaddafi," said Gortney. "At this particular point, I can assure you it is not on a list of targeting."
"If it is in place - if the inspection of a site-to-air missiles and we have no idea that he is there or not, then yes, but no, we do not target his residences. "he said.
Gortney, speaking after firing anti-aircraft booming through the center of Tripoli, said no coalition aircraft had been hit in the operations in recent days.
He also said that the coalition acting against Gaddafi, which initially grouped the United States, Great Britain, France, Italy and Canada, had expanded to include Belgium and Qatar. (Reuters)