Clinton: US will stay out of Syria, no timeline for Libya

Defense Secretary Robert Gates was more direct, telling host Bob Schieffer that no one has any idea how long the measures will be in place.

Clinton said the U.S. hasn’t yet decided whether or not to arm the opposition forces in Libya but said she has met with the rebels and opened an ongoing dialogue between them and the allied forces.

When pressed by Schieffer on the rebels’ chances for success against Gaddafi without additional military aid, Clinton again side-stepped the question and noted only a week has passed since the military actions in Libya began.

“I know how concerned people are and obviously president will speak to the country monday night to answer a lot of those concerns,” Clinton said, pointing to intelligence reports that Gadhafi’s forces are withdrawing.

“We’ve already seen quite significant progress on the ground,” she added before calling the opposition forces brave but not very well-organized. She said the U.S. has been forced to choose among imperfect options for
how to respond to the crisis in the region, but is still treating each country as unique.

Gates was again more succinct about Gadhafi’s prospects for the future.

“I wouldn’t be hanging any new pictures if I were him,” Gates said.