Washington (CNN) -- Under current conditions, Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi appears likely to survive the revolt against him because of superior equipment, the head of the U.S. intelligence community told Congress in a blunt assessment Thursday.

National Intelligence Director James Clapper's appearance before the Senate Armed Services Committee came as officials in Washington, Europe and the Middle East are debating whether to aid rebel forces in Libya's civil war. Clapper said the rebels are "in for a tough row" against Gadhafi, whose forces are now moving to retake territory lost since the uprising began in mid-February.