DRAWING THE LINE

Gates: Let Others Arm Libya's Rebels

Defense secretary says they need more training.

It’s not America’s job to arm the Libyan rebels fighting Gaddafi, Defense Secretary Robert Gates told Congress Thursday, marking the first publicly stated preference from a member of the Obama administration on the heavily debated issue. Calling the opposition forces “pretty much a pick-up ball game at this point,” Gates said what the rebels really need is “some training”—but “somebody else” can provide the weapons. Gates also came out against putting U.S. troops on the ground. As NATO takes over control of airstrikes, Libya’s rebels are currently reorganizing after a hasty retreat, energized by the recent defection of Foreign Minister Musa Kusa.