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4A – Daily News – Tuesday, March 22, 2011 WORLD BRIEFING Rebels try to save city under siege ZWITINA, Libya (AP) — Libya’s rebels scram- bled to try to exploit inter- national strikes on Moam- mar Gadhafi’s forces and go on the offensive, as some of the opposition’s ragtag citizen-fighters charged ahead to fight troops besieging a rebel city Monday. But the rebellion’s more orga- nized military units were still not ready, and the opposition disarray under- scored U.S. warnings that a long stalemate could emerge. The air campaign by U.S. and European mili- taries has unquestionably rearranged the map in Libya and rescued rebels from the immediate threat they faced only days ago of being crushed under a powerful advance by Gad- hafi’s forces. The first round of airstrikes smashed a column of regime tanks that had been moving on the rebel capi- tal of Benghazi in the east. Monday night, Libyan state TV said a new round of strikes had begun in the capital, Tripoli, marking the third night of bom- bardment. But while the airstrikes can stop Gad- hafi’s troops from attack- ing rebel cities — in line with the U.N. mandate to protect civilians — the United States, at least, appeared deeply reluctant to go beyond that toward actively helping the rebel cause to oust the Libyan leader. President Barack Obama said Monday that ‘‘it is U.S. policy that Gadhafi has to go.’’ But, he said, the international air campaign has a more limited goal, to protect civilians. ‘‘Our military action is in support of an interna- tional mandate from the Security Council that specifically focuses on the humanitarian threat posed by Col. Gadhafi to his people. Not only was he carrying out murders of civilians but he threatened more,’’ the president said on a visit to Chile. Obama: Favors Gadhafi stepping down SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — President Barack Obama said Monday the United States favors the ouster of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi but the international military effort has a more limited goal of establishing a no- fly zone over Libya and protecting civilians against massacre by forces loyal to the longtime ruler. Obama said the United States would transfer lead- ership of the military operation to other, unnamed participants within a ‘‘matter of days, not weeks,’’ but he declined to provide a more precise timetable. ‘‘Obviously, the situa- tion is evolving on the ground, and how quickly this transfer takes place will be determined by the recommendation of our commanding officers that the . first phase of the mis- sion has been completed,’’ Obama said. The president made his comments at a news con- ference in Chile, the sec- ond of three stops on a South American trip that coincides with the begin- ning of an international effort to create a no-fly zone to keep Gadhafi forces from taking to the air over parts of Libya. The United States has fired close to 150 cruise missiles against Libyan targets in the past three days, including one that hit inside the compound in Tripoli where Gadhafi and his family live. The destruction within the compound has gener- ated questions about the objective of the military Dr. Andrew PomazalD.O. Physician & Surgeon General Medicine Saturday Appointments Available • High Blood Pressure • Diabetes • Joint & Muscle Pain • Lung Problems We offer Osteopathic Manipulation 530 528-2066 2050 Main St, Red Bluff Accepting New Patients campaign, and Obama described how the United States was leading an air assault with one set of goals while pursuing another objective on its own. Officials see no quick fix for Japan’s nuclear plant FUKUSHIMA, Japan (AP) — Officials raced Monday to restore elec- tricity to Japan’s leaking nuclear plant, but getting the power flowing will hardly be the end of their battle: With its mangled machinery and partly melted reactor cores, bringing the complex under control is a mon- strous job. Restoring the power to all six units at the tsuna- mi-damaged complex is key, because it will, in the- ory, power up the maze of motors, valves and switch- es that help deliver cool- ing water to the overheat- ed reactor cores and spent fuel pools that are leaking radiation. Ideally, officials believe it should only take a day to get the Fukushi- ma Dai-ichi nuclear under control once the cooling system is up and running. In reality, the effort to end the crisis is likely to take weeks. LASSEN STEAK HOUSE “Home of the Sizzling Platter” Perfect for Large Parties Anniversary • Retirement • Weddings • Birthdays • Reunions, etc. Open 11am - 9pm Call 530 839-2838 Corner of Hwy 99E & Vina Rd. Late Monday night, the deputy director general of Japan’s nuclear safety body suggested to reporters why there is so much uncertainty about when the job will be fin- ished. ‘‘We have experienced a very huge disaster that has caused very large damage at a nuclear power generation plant on a scale that we had not expected,’’ said Hidehiko Nishiyama of the Nuclear and Indus- trial Safety Agency. Yemeni leader loses more of his dwindling power base SANAA, Yemen (AP) — A top military com- mander and at least 18 other senior officers defected Monday to the opposition movement demanding the ouster of Yemen’s embattled presi- dent, depriving the U.S.- allied ruler of most of his power base. The looming collapse of President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s regime throws into doubt the American cam- paign against a major al- Qaida wing that plotted attacks in the United States. Monday’s defections led to rival tanks being deployed in the streets of Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, creating a potentially explosive situation and prompting Saleh’s defense minister, Mohammed Nasser Ahmed, to announce the military remained loyal to the longtime leader. The armed forces will counter any plots against the government, Ahmed declared on state televi- sion, following a meeting of the National Defense Council, which is led by Saleh and includes Ahmed, the prime minis- ter and the intelligence chief. Wednesday, March 23 • 12:10-12:50pm Advanced Chiropractic Neurology and Rehab YOUR PET FOOD SOURCE 3 1/2 or 4.4 lb Dry Dog Food Avoderm $ Any 699 good thru 3/31/11 345 So. Main Street • Red Bluff • (530) 527-4588 EVERYDAY 9:00am to 6:00pm OPEN The defection of Maj. Gen. Ali Mohsen al- Ahmar, a longtime Saleh confidante and comman- der of the army’s powerful 1st Armored Division, was seen by many as a turning point. It followed a major escalation in the regime’s crackdown on demonstrators, when more than 40 people were killed in bloody clashes Friday. LINDA M. FOURBY, LUTCF Authorized Independent Agent BlueShield of California Anthem® Bluecross • Individual • Small Group • Medicare Supplements • Part D Prescriptions (530) 529-2369 805 Walnut St., Red Bluff CA Lic.#0C05427 Have Your Party at