US Commander: We Won't Stop Until Libya Is in Compliance

WASHINGTON -- A U.S. military commander says the coalition military operations will continue in Libya until Col. Moammar Gadhafi complies with the U.N. Security Council resolution to declare a cease-fire and stop all attacks on civilians.

"It's my judgment, however, that despite our successes to date, that Gadhafi and his forces are not yet in compliance with the United Nations Security Council resolution due to the continued aggressive actions his forces are placing on the civilian population," Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa, told reporters at the Pentagon via phone from aboard the USS Mount Whitney.

"The no-fly zone is in place," Locklear said. "The no-fly zone is effective."

But Locklear also confirmed that the Libyan city of Misrata was under attack by pro-government forces. "We are considering all options as we look across the entire country of Libya," he said about plans to expand operations to protect other cities.

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Photos From Libya

Libyan rebels duck for cover as they come under tank fire from Moammar Gadhafi's forces on the outskirts of Ajdabiya on March 22, 2011 as rag-tag rebel forces massed for a second day to try to attack government forces that have encircled the town. Click the image for a live photo gallery feed of the situation in Libya.

AFP/Getty Images

AFP

Photos From Libya

Libyan rebels duck for cover as they come under tank fire from Moamer Kadhafi's forces on the outskirts of Ajdabiya on March 22, 2011 as rag-tag rebel forces massed for a second day to try to attack government forces that have encircled the town. AFP PHOTO/PATRICK BAZ (Photo credit should read PATRICK BAZ/AFP/Getty Images)

Photos From Libya

Libyan rebels try to take cover as mortars from Moammar Gadhafi's forces are fired on them on the frontline of the outskirts of the city of Ajdabiya, south of Benghazi, eastern Libya, Tuesday, March 22, 2011. Coalition forces bombarded Libya for a third straight night, targeting the air defenses and forces of Libyan ruler Moammar Gadhafi, stopping his advances and handing some momentum back to the rebels, who were on the verge of defeat just last week. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)

Photos From Libya

Libyan rebels run to take cover as a mortar, seen at top right, from Moammar Gadhafi's forces are fired on them on the frontline of the outskirts of the city of Ajdabiya, south of Benghazi, eastern Libya, Tuesday, March 22, 2011. Coalition forces bombarded Libya for a third straight night, targeting the air defenses and forces of Libyan ruler Moammar Gadhafi, stopping his advances and handing some momentum back to the rebels, who were on the verge of defeat just last week. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)

Photos From Libya

Libyan rebels retreat as mortars from Moammar Gadhafi's forces are fired on them on the frontline of the outskirts of the city of Ajdabiya, south of Benghazi, eastern Libya, Tuesday, March 22, 2011. Coalition forces bombarded Libya for a third straight night, targeting the air defenses and forces of Libyan ruler Moammar Gadhafi, stopping his advances and handing some momentum back to the rebels, who were on the verge of defeat just last week. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)

Photos From Libya

Libyan rebels stop on the road as mortars from Moammar Gadhafi's forces are fired on them on the frontline of the outskirts of the city of Ajdabiya, south of Benghazi, eastern Libya, Tuesday, March 22, 2011. Coalition forces bombarded Libya for a third straight night, targeting the air defenses and forces of Libyan ruler Moammar Gadhafi, stopping his advances and handing some momentum back to the rebels, who were on the verge of defeat just last week. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)

Photos From Libya

A rebel fighter fires his weapon atop a destroyed military tank of Moammar Gadhafi�s loyalist forces in Benghazi, Libya on Monday, March 21, 2011. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times/MCT)

Photos From Libya

A rebel fighter joins residents of Benghazi, Libya amid the ruins of Moammar Gadhafi�s military vehicles on Monday, March 21, 2011. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times/MCT)

Photos From Libya

A Libyan youth cries for a dead relative at a hospital in Benghazi, Libya on Monday, March 21, 2011. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times/MCT)

Photos From Libya

Libya has significant ground forces, but Locklear said he was less concerned about the country's air force, which was in "disrepair."

Coalition operations against Libya's armed forces started Friday with a barrage of cruise missile attacks intended to take out Libya's long-range air defense systems. Those attacks were followed by aircraft strikes.