The French and Italian governments joined the United Kingdom in pledging military advisors to assist Libyan rebel groups in their deadlocked battle against the Qaddafi regime (NYT). Officials from the two European allies said the small contingent of "liaisons" would serve in organizational and logistical capacities, stressing that there were no plans to send ground troops. British officials emphasized that their team would not arm or train the rebels (Guardian).

The decision to deploy advisors comes amid growing calls for additional humanitarian assistance from desperate groups inside the beleaguered city of Misurata (CNN), where regime forces are impeding effective evacuation. The EU has offered to provide armed escorts to protect aid convoys (al-Jazeera) in Libya, but UN officials said no guards are needed for the time being. The current UN resolution prohibits the use of foreign troops in Libya.

The Pentagon declared it had no plans to send U.S. military advisors, although CIA operatives have been on the ground in eastern Libya to gather intelligence. NATO commanders (WSJ) said they did not yet see a need for ground troops, but stressed the difficulty in dislodging Qaddafi's stranglehold over Misurata.

Analysis:

NATO's failure to apply sufficient military force to oust Qaddafi and protect civilians is a blow to the credibility of the alliance and the United States, says expert Robert E. Hunter.

In the Financial Times, CFR's Ray Takeyh discusses the likelihood of Libya's partition and the realities of the country's putative tribal discord.

Background

In Foreign Affairs, Michael Scott Doran writes that not since the Suez crisis and the Nasser-fueled uprisings of the 1950s has the Middle East seen so much unrest. Understanding those earlier events can help the United States navigate the crisis today.

Multimedia:

Track developments in Libya day-by-day through this interactive timeline from the Wall Street Journal.