US ending its air combat role in Libya

Washington: The US Defence Department is about to pull its attack planes out of the international air campaign in Libya, hoping NATO partners can take up the slack.

The announcement on Thursday drew incredulous reactions from some in Congress who wondered aloud why the Obama administration would bow out of a key element of the strategy for protecting Libyan civilians and crippling Muammar Gaddafi's army.

"Odd," "troubling" and "unnerving" were among critical comments by senators pressing for an explanation of the announcement by Defence Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs chairman Adm.

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