U.S. Involvement in Libya Action Would Last 'Days, Not Weeks'
ABC NEWS March 18, 2011
President Obama told a bipartisan group of members
of Congress today that he expects the U.S. would be
actively involved in any military action against Libya
for "days, not weeks," after which he said the U.S.
would take more of a supporting role, sources tell
ABC News.
The White House meeting with 18 lawmakers came as
Obama delivered an ultimatum to Libyan leader
Moammar Gadhafi that he must immediately
implement a ceasefire in all parts of Libya and allow
international humanitarian assistance, or risk military
action against his regime.
"Moammar Gadhafi has a choice. The [U.N.] resolution
that passed lays out very clear conditions that must
be met. The United States, the United Kingdom, France
and Arab states agree that a ceasefire must be
implemented immediately. That means all attacks
against civilians must stop," the president said today.
"Humanitarian assistance must be allowed to reach
the people of Libya."
"These terms are not subject to negotiation," Obama
said. "If Gadhafi does not comply with the resolution,
the international community will impose
consequences and the resolution will be enforced
through military action."
Sources told ABC News that Obama's decision to
support the use of force came Tuesday, following
several days of internal administration deliberations
and the realization that diplomatic efforts to stop the
brutality of Gadhafi's regime weren't working.
Presented with intelligence about the push of the
Gadhafi regime to the rebel stronghold of Benghazi,
the president told his national security team, "What
we're doing isn't stopping him."
Some in his administration, such as Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton, had been pushing for stronger action,
but it wasn't until Tuesday, administration sources
tell ABC News, that the president became convinced
sanctions and the threat of a no-fly zone wouldn't be
enough.
Obama's speech Friday indicated that coalition forces
are giving Gadhafi time to change course, but are
of Congress today that he expects the U.S. would be
actively involved in any military action against Libya
for "days, not weeks," after which he said the U.S.
would take more of a supporting role, sources tell
ABC News.
The White House meeting with 18 lawmakers came as
Obama delivered an ultimatum to Libyan leader
Moammar Gadhafi that he must immediately
implement a ceasefire in all parts of Libya and allow
international humanitarian assistance, or risk military
action against his regime.
"Moammar Gadhafi has a choice. The [U.N.] resolution
that passed lays out very clear conditions that must
be met. The United States, the United Kingdom, France
and Arab states agree that a ceasefire must be
implemented immediately. That means all attacks
against civilians must stop," the president said today.
"Humanitarian assistance must be allowed to reach
the people of Libya."
"These terms are not subject to negotiation," Obama
said. "If Gadhafi does not comply with the resolution,
the international community will impose
consequences and the resolution will be enforced
through military action."
Sources told ABC News that Obama's decision to
support the use of force came Tuesday, following
several days of internal administration deliberations
and the realization that diplomatic efforts to stop the
brutality of Gadhafi's regime weren't working.
Presented with intelligence about the push of the
Gadhafi regime to the rebel stronghold of Benghazi,
the president told his national security team, "What
we're doing isn't stopping him."
Some in his administration, such as Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton, had been pushing for stronger action,
but it wasn't until Tuesday, administration sources
tell ABC News, that the president became convinced
sanctions and the threat of a no-fly zone wouldn't be
enough.
Obama's speech Friday indicated that coalition forces
are giving Gadhafi time to change course, but are
representatives from the Arab League and European
Union to discuss the implementation of the no-fly
zone or targeted strikes inside Libya. Secretary of
State Hillary Clinton will also attend.
Union to discuss the implementation of the no-fly
zone or targeted strikes inside Libya. Secretary of
State Hillary Clinton will also attend.
I guess he gets a pass since he isn’t Bush
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