Pentagon: Gadhafi forces in disarray after assault

Navy Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, director of the Joint Staff, gives an operational update concerning Libya, at the Pentagon in Washington, Sunday, March 20, 2011.

WASHINGTON — Pentagon officials say a U.S.-led coalition has succeeded in scattering and isolating Libyan strongman Moammar Gadhafi's forces after a weekend of punishing air attacks, and American military authorities are moving to hand control of the operation to other countries.

Navy Vice Admiral William E. Gortney says the air strikes have been "very effective," and the Pentagon believes Gadhafi's military is "under significant stress."

The assault has included B-2 stealth bombers, jet fighters, more than 120 Tomahawk cruise missiles and other high-tech weapons. Gortney says no allied planes have been lost and all pilots have returned safely.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates says the U.S. expects to relinquish control of the mission "in a matter of days."

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