but while the decision to commence these attacks was largely straightforward, without any opposition votes on the u.n. security council, questions are now arising about whether this can remain a humanitarian mission. nbc's richard engel joins us now. good afternoon, richard. >> reporter: good to talk to you. it certainly does not feel like a humanitarian mission. this is not a food drop or a relief effort. this is air support for a rebel war and today the rebels are taking advantage of this finally and are leaving their safe havens in cities like where i am in benghazi and pushing forward and capturing rebel gadhafi-held territory. they've been moving into a place called ajdabiya and they say this counteroffensive aided by the air cover that they've been receiving from the united states and other nations has helped them and that they will continue to push forward of the rebel