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Durbin: Libyan Rebels Need Command Structure

CHICAGO (WBBM) -- U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk says he believes the Libyan rebels should be given weapons to help them overthrow the Gadhafi regime more quickly. But Sen. Dick Durbin said Friday that he believes the rebels need an effective command structure far more.

"They don't have commanders. They don't have battle plans. They don't have communications," Durbin said. "So weapons? Sure. I think they have them. If they need more, help them. But beyond that what they need is command and control."

LISTEN: Newsradio 780's Bob Roberts reports

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Durbin said he does not favor introduction of U.S. ground troops, and wants to avoid any actions that could put the United States into another "war with no end."

LINK: Latest CBS News Coverage Of Libyan Conflict

Kirk said he believes that furnishing weapons will help end the Libyan war more quickly and limit the costs for the U.S. and its allies.

NATO and some nations have said that an arms embargo rules out providing weapons to the Libyan rebels. But key Obama administration officials ha ve suggested that arming them could be an option.

(TM and © Copyright 2010 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS Radio and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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