Mullen: "Stalemate with Qaddafi is a possibility!"

(Reuters) - ... Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. military's Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the CBS program "Face the Nation" that the air mission in the North African country has a clear, limited scope. But Mullen said the outcome of military action in Libya was "very uncertain." Asked if it could end in a stalemate with Gaddafi, Mullen replied: "I don't think that's for me to answer. Certainly, I recognize that's a possibility."...

Forces loyal to Gaddafi, who has ruled Libya for 41 years, had been taking back large swathes of territory from rebels until the air attacks, which may give the rebels the chance to regroup. Military analysts say it is unclear if they can.Senior Republicans pressed U.S. President Barack Obama to give a clear rationale for the Libya mission, reflecting concern that U.S. forces could get bogged down in a long-running, costly operation that lacks defined goals.....

Obama had called in recent weeks for Gaddafi to step down but has backed away from that call since the United Nations Security Council voted to authorize attacks on Libya. The United States is eager to avoid similarities to the 2003 invasion of Iraq and ouster of President Saddam Hussein..."