C.I.A. in Libya Aiding Rebels, U.S. Officials Say
By MARK MAZZETTI and ERIC SCHMITT
Published: March 31, 2011
WASHINGTON - The Central Intelligence Agency has inserted clandestine operatives into Libya to gather intelligence for military airstrikes and make contacts with rebels battling Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi's forces, according to American officials. While President Obama has insisted that no American ground troops join in the Libyan campaign, small groups of C.I.A. operatives have been working in Libya for several weeks and are part of a shadow force of Westerners that the Obama administration hopes can help set back Colonel Qaddafi's military, the officials said.
