The United States says western powers have achieved some success against Col. Gaddafi's defences as they carried out a second night of air attacks on Libya. The Pentagon said missile strikes followed by bombing raids had inflicted heavy damage and left Libyan government forces weakened and confused. The US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said his country would soon be reducing its role. An apparent missile strike had caused extensive damage to Col. Gaddafi's compound in the capital, Tripoli. A government spokesman, Ibrahim Moussa said civilians have been hurt in the attack. The Pentagon meanwhile denied that Col. Gaddafi has been targeted. The US had earlier dismissed the latest ceasefire announced by the Libyan government. Meanwhile, Qatar has decided to send four warplanes to join the international air campaign over Libya. Qatar is the first Arab country to do so. The Qatari decision came despite comments from the Arab League Secretary General, Amr Moussa, questioning the air attacks. The Arab League had supported military action, but Mr. Moussa said western strikes against Libyan forces had gone beyond the objective of implementing the no-fly zone which the Organisation had called for. He said the Arab League had sought protection of civilians, and not the bombardment of more civilians.