.Strikes force Gadhafi back; NATO ships patrol sea

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Strikes force Gadhafi back; NATO ships patrol sea
BENGHAZI, Libya – International airstrikes forced Moammar Gadhafi's tanks to roll back from the western city of Misrata on Wednesday, giving respite to civilians who have endured more than a week of attacks and a punishing blockade. NATO ships patrolled off Libya's coast as the Obama administration said the U.S. was prepared to relinquish leadership of the campaign by the end of the week.
Gadhafi's forces appeared to weaken in the western region that has been his stronghold, and diplomats neared agreement to let NATO assume responsibility for the no-fly zone. Both the U.N.-backed force and rebels,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], who took tentative steps toward forming an administration in the east on Wednesday, appeared to be preparing for a long battle.
But the U.S. made clear that others would have to lead the way, as Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the U.S. could turn over control of the operation as soon as Saturday. He had no answer when asked about a possible stalemate that could occur if Gadhafi hunkers down, and the coalition has no U.N. authorization to target him.
Gadhafi made his first public appearance in a week late Tuesday,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych],[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], hours after explosions sounded in Tripoli. State TV said he spoke from his Bab Al-Aziziya residential compound,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], the same one hit by a cruise missile Sunday night. "In the short term, we'll beat them,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych],[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], in the long term,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], we'll beat them," he said.