Video: NBC Reporter Has Dangerous Close Encounter on Libyan Front Line

During a report aired Wednesday on NBC's Nightly News, war correspondent Richard Engel offered a glimpse at the rebels' fight against the forces of Moammar Gadhafi. At the 1:50 mark, you can hear incoming rounds bear down as Engel interviews rebel fighters:

As military operations continue in driving back Gadhafi's forces, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday that he could not predict when international military enforcement of the no-fly zone might end, but that the U.S. could relinquish control of the operation as soon as Saturday.  The AP reports:

Gates says no one thought the assault would last only two or three weeks, but he could not say how the coalition operation might be resolved.

Gates said Wednesday the goals of the operation against Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi are clear — establishing a no-fly zone and preventing Gadhafi from slaughtering his own people. Yet Gates had no answer when asked about a possible stalemate that could occur if Gadhafi hunkers down, and the coalition has no U.N. authorization to target him.