SETBACK IN LIBYA – AT 9:15 A.M. ET:  After a day making progress, Libyan rebels have now been set back in their effort to overthrow the regime:

BIN JAWWAD, Libya – Libyan government tanks and rockets blunted a rebel assault on Moammar Gadhafi's hometown of Sirte on Tuesday and drove back the ragtag army of irregulars, even as world leaders prepared to debate the country's future in London.

Rockets and tank fire sent Libya's rebel volunteers in a panicked scramble away from the front lines, before the opposition was able to bring up truck mounted rocket launchers of their own and return fire.

The latest rebel setback emphasizes the see-saw nature of this conflict and how the opposition is still no match for the superior firepower and organization of Gadhafi's forces, despite an international campaign of deadly airstrikes.

The two sides traded salvos over the small hamlet of Bin Jawwad amid the thunderous crash of rockets and artillery shells as plumes of smoke erupted in the town. The steady drum of heavy machine gun fire and the pop of small arms could also be heard above the din.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch:

Tripoli, Libya (CNN) -- As fighting between government and rebel forces rages on in several Libyan towns, world leaders will gather Tuesday in London to plan ways to put pressure on leader Moammar Gadhafi.

More than 40 foreign ministers and representatives from regional groups will attend the conference, including U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Chairman of the African Union Jean Ping and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

"The purpose of this conference is to broaden and deepen the coalition effort," said British Foreign Secretary William Hague. "We all want to see that cease-fire. We all want to see Gadhafi go. Those things are clear. But once we have that cease-fire, we have something to work with."

Wait, wait, wait.  Once we have a cease-fire we have something to work with?  Really?  What do we have to work with?  I would imagine – excuse me for my ignorance – that military pressure might do the trick in removing Gadhafi from power.  I'm not sure how a cease-fire fits in.

This sounds like one of those sanctions meetings that will precede a negotiation that will precede a waiting period that will precede an international conference that will precede a UN study. 

Look, I hope we succeed, that the Libyan dictator goes, and that a reasonable government is elected in Libya.  But this does indeed look like a plan written by a committee.

March 29, 2011