US weighs air and sea options to deal with Libya crisis | WPN World People News

The US military planners are considering a range of options to deal with the Libyan crisis after concerns were raised that there could be a political crisis if the United States again attacks a Muslim nation.

Earlier, rebel commanders in Libya had urged the US to carry out strikes on the Gaddafi regime's troops. On Sunday, three influential members of the United States Senate from both parties renewed the call for a no-flight zone to ground the Libyan Air Force and prevent it from attacking its people.

However, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, and top commanders have warned of the political fallout if the United States again attacks a Muslim nation, though in support of a popular revolt.

Military planners on the Pentagon's Joint Staff and in its field commands are now offering a broad range of approaches to choose from, depending on how events play out in Libya and how tough the United States and its allies want to be, the New York Times reports.

Administration officials have said that even without firing a shot, a relatively passive operation using signal-jamming aircraft operating in international air space could muddle Libyan government communications with its military units, adding that preparations for such an operation were under way.

Despite the calls for a no-flight zone, the Obama administration offered no change in its position.

"Lots of people throw around phrases like no-fly zone - they talk about it as though it's just a video game," William M. Daley, the White House chief of staff, said.

Source: ANI