Live Blog: War In Libya, Monday Events

The U.S and its European Allies continue to carry out military air strikes in Libya in their effort to halt forces loyal to Col. Moammar Gadhafi. We're following developments; this post will automatically refresh every 30 minutes unless we jump in with breaking news.

Update at 9:45 a.m. ET. Putin Likens Military Action To 'Medieval Calls For Crusades' ":

"Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Monday [that] a U.N. resolution authorizing military action in Libya resembled 'mediaeval calls for crusades' after Western forces launched a second wave of air strikes," Reuters reports. He said the resolution is flawed because "it allows everything."

Update at 9:30 a.m. ET. In Tripoli, Critics Of Gadhafi Start Emerging:

Some supporters of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi are driving through the streets of Tripoli — honking horns and waving flags as they go. But NPR's David Greene tells our Newscast desk that "critics of Gadhafi ... are [also] starting to almost come out of the woodwork."

"One gentleman in Tripoli told me yesterday, 'give these bombings a week and the people who don't like Gadhafi are going to rise up again.' "

Here's a short audio report from David:

Update at 8:45 a.m. ET. Military Action Could Last 'Awhile,' French Official Says:

"The international military intervention in Libya is likely to last 'awhile,' a top French official said Monday, echoing Moammar Gadhafi's warning of a long war ahead as rebels said they were fighting to reclaim a city under the Libyan leader's control," The Associated Press reports.

It adds that "Henri Guaino, a top adviser to the French president, said two nights of bombing runs and missile attacks had hobbled Libya's air defenses, stalled Gadhafi's troops and all but ended attacks on civilians. ... Guaino, asked how long the allied efforts would continue, replied simply: 'Awhile yet.' "

Update at 8:30 a.m. ET: The Libyan government has released four New York Times journalists who were captured six days ago.

6:25 a.m. ET. Our original post:

NPR's Tom Gjelten tells Morning Edition allies struck pro-Gadhafi fighters near the rebel held city of Benghazi and destroyed the tanks, leaving a 'smoking, bloody scene'. He says reporters were briefed by Navy Vice Admiral Bill Gortney, who says Gadhafi himself is not on any target list.

But Allied planes bombed Libya's capital, Tripoli, for a second night, destroying one of Gadhafi's residences. NPR's David Greene is in Tripoli and tells Morning Edition he was escorted to the wrecked Libyan government building. The U.S. government says the building was struck because it was a strategic command center.

NPR's Eric Westervelt is in eastern Libya, controlled by rebels. He tells NPR Newscasts that the rebels are overjoyed with the help from the Allied bombing strikes. Eric says rebel fighters are so undisciplined it's unclear if they can take military advantage of the situation.

The Arab League may have had a change of heart on its support of an international no-fly zone; and expressed discomfort with the Allied attacks on Libya, saying the bombing goes beyond a no-fly zone called for by the United Nations. The Canadian Press says a group of pro-Gadhafi protesters jostled UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon as he left an Arab League meeting in Cairo.

Note: NPR follows Associated Press style when spelling Gadhafi's name. Other media may use different spellings. Copyright 2011 National Public Radio. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.