In an address to the nation on Libya, President Obama offered an explanation as to why the U.S. intervened. He said a humanitarian crisis inflicted by Libyan leader Col. Gadhafi was unfolding and that instability there does not serve American interests.
President Obama said the U.S. is working in concert with the international community to protect Libyans, yet he cautioned against broadening the mission.
"Of course, there is no question that Libya – and the world – will be better off with Gadhafi out of power. I, along with many other world leaders, have embraced that goal, and will actively pursue it through non-military means. But broadening our military mission to include regime change would be a mistake," Obama said.
Without giving a precise timeline or specific details, Obama offered some insight into the future of the mission.
"As the bulk of our military effort ratchets down, what we can do – and will do – is support the aspirations of the Libyan people," Obama said. "We have intervened to stop a massacre, and we will work with our allies and partners as they’re in the lead to maintain the safety of civilians," Obama said.
Obama said Gadhafi will not be removed from power through military force but through alternative means. "We will deny the regime arms, cut off its supply of cash, assist the opposition, and work with other nations to hasten the day when Gadhafi leaves power," Obama said. "It may not happen overnight, as a badly weakened Gadhafi tries desperately to hang on to power."
Congressional Examination of Libya
Congress began its own examination of the Libyan incursion today with a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.
Admiral James Stavridis, NATO's top operations official, said he is confident the NATO mission will cause Gadhafi's regime to fall. "If we work all the elements of power, we have a more than reasonable chance" of Gadhafi leaving, Admiral Stavridis told the Senate committee.
In response to a question by Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) about the opposition rebels in Libya, Admiral Stavridis said intelligence does not show a "significant al-Qaeda or terrorist presence."
Sec. Clinton at International Conference on Libya in London
At an international conference in London, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with members of NATO, the African Union and the Arab League to discuss implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973 and the future of Libya.
Secretary Clinton told U.S. allies to continue pressing Gadhafi to step down. "All of us have to continue [to put] the pressure on and deepen the isolation of the Qadhafi regime," Clinton said.
"This includes a unified front of political and diplomatic pressure that makes clear to Qadhafi he must go, that sends a strong message of accountability, and that sharpens the choice for those around him," Clinton said. She also said the international community must continue to put financial pressure on Gadhafi.
Secretary Clinton met with the leader of the opposition movement, Mahmoud Jibril, about the political future of Libya and allies' potential support.
At a news conference, she failed to rule out military support for the rebels. Sec. Clinton said the coalition has "not made any decision about arming the rebels" or providing arms transfers.
On Sunday, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen announced that the international coalition has taken over enforcement of the no-fly zone and is expanding its role to protect civilians. "We will be acting in close coordination with our international and regional partners to protect the people of Libya," Rasmussen said.