Mullen calls Libya attack a success so far

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WASHINGTON, March 20 (UPI) -- Top U.S. military officer Mike Mullen said Sunday the Libya "no-fly zone is effectively in place" and Moammar Gadhafi has not sent any planes up in two days.

Speaking on CNN's "State of the Union," the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said "the initial operations have been very effective" in destroying most of Libya's air defenses and some airfields. He said the next goal was to cut the regime's logistics and supply lines.

Mullen stressed the multinational character of the attack, saying, "While the United States leads this right now, we expect in the next few days to hand that leadership off to a coalition-led operation and the United States recedes somewhat to the background in support."

As for the outcome, he said Gadhafi "gets a vote here. What depends in the future in great part depends on what Col. Gadhafi does."

Mullen said, "We would like to see him withdraw his forces across the country back into garrison. Stop attacking his people. And then not in any way interfere with the humanitarian support that is needed right now."