Barack Obama - Libya

Last Updated: Mar 22, 2011

Summary

When President Obama assumed office, the US's relationship with Libya was getting stronger. Diplomatic relations were restored with Libya in 2006 by President Bush. President Obama was photographed shaking hands with Muammar Qaddafi at a G-8 summit on 2009, and Secretary of State Clinton stated in a 2009 speech that Libya was a country that had altered it's behavior in response to US interaction instead of isolation.

In January of 2011, protests began in Libya after spreading from Egypt and Tunisia. These protests escalated in size spread to cities around the nation. Calls began for Muammar Qaddafi to step down and allow a democratic rule to be established. When Colonel Qadaffi refused, an opposition force began to claim cities in the northeast of the country. The opposition spread westward and by February 23, the opposition claimed the port city of Misurata. When protests began in the capital of Tripoli the military fired upon the crowd. Pro-government forces began to organize and reclaim some cities around the capital. A failed attempt was made to reclaim Zawiyah.

President Obama made the first statements on February 23, 2011 - three days after the first protestors were fired on in Tripoli. He condemned the use of violence on protestors. The forces loyal to Qaddafi began to push back the opposition forces and numerous cities were reclaimed. On February 25, 2011 sanctions were imposed on Libya and the assets of Muammar Qaddafi in the US were frozen. On March 3, President Obama stated that "Qaddafi must go" as Libyan military actions began to encompass the Libyan Air Force striking against opposition forces. On March 14, Secretary of State Clinton began meeting with Libyan opposition leaders in Paris to discuss possible UN or US aid.

On March 18, the UN issued a resolution authorizing a no-fly zone over Libya to prevent the use of air power by Qaddafi but forbidding a military occupation. The following day, President Obama authorized the use of force and bombing runs began on pro-Qaddafi strongholds.

On March 20, 2011 Secretary of Defense Gates stated that Muammar Qaddafi was not the objective and that the UN resolution did not call for his removal. The following day, President Obama stated that the US would be lessening it's role in the matter and other countries would take the lead.

Republican and Democratic legislatures have spoke out against President Obama's use of military force without authorization from Congress - as is constitutionally required and was given for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The goals of the actions are also unclear as the UN charter does not call for the removal of Muammar Qaddafi yet President Obama has specifically stated that he must go. The use of air power to strike targets such as Qaddafi's personal compound raised further questions as to the scope of the use of force.

Timeline

Although protests broke out all over the country, the northeastern part was the first to be claimed by opposition to Muammar Qaddafi. The protests and opposition spread west until reaching the capitol of Tripoli where Qaddafi began to use force. After that, numerous cities fell back into Qaddaffi's hands.

Jan 13, 2011 - Rioting begins in Libya in response to housing issues and riots in Egypt and Tunisia
Feb 20, 2011 - The city of Benghazi is reported to be in opposition hands
Feb 20, 2011 - Pro-government forces fire on protestors in Tripoli
Feb 23, 2011 - Opposition groups seize control of Misurata (Misratah)
Feb 23, 2011 - President Obama makes first public statement on protests, condemns violence against demonstrators
Feb 24, 2011 - Opposition captures Tobruk (Tubruq)
Feb 24, 2011 - Government soldiers kill 17 in Zawiyah
Feb 25, 2011 - Pro-Qaddafi forces fire on protestors in Tripoli
Feb 25, 2011 - Sanctions imposed on Libya, diplomatic relations ended
Mar 3, 2011 - President Obama states that Muammar Qaddafi must go
Mar 11, 2011 - Brega and Ras Lanuf bombed by Qaddafi planes
Mar 12, 2011 - Arab league states that it supports a no-fly zone
Mar 13, 2011 - City of Zuwarah attacked by pro-Qaddafi troops
Mar 14, 2011 - Secretary of State Clinton meets with Libyan opposition leaders in Paris
Mar 18, 2011 - The UN issues a no-fly zone over Libya
Mar 19, 2011 - President Obama authorizes military action in Libya

President Obama Shakes Hands with Qaddafi

In July of 2009, President Obama was photographed shaking hands with Muammar Qaddfi during the G-8 summit dinner.

SOS Clinton CFR Speech

In July of 2009, Secretary of State Clinton spoke at the Council on Foreign Relations and noted Libya as an example of a country that was engaged with instead of avoided and this lead to better relations with the nations. President Bush restored diplomatic relations with the country in 2006. The full text of the speech can be seen here.

As long as engagement might advance our interests and our values, it is unwise to take it off the table. Negotiations can provide insight into regime's calculations and the possibility, even if it seems remote, that a regime will eventually alter its behavior in exchange for the benefits of acceptance into the international community. Libya is one such example.

Full Range of Options

On February 23, 2011 President Obama spoke at a press conference about what was happening in Libya and stated that he was looking and the full range of options to respond to the crisis in Libya.

I’ve also asked my administration to prepare the full range of options that we have to respond to this crisis. This includes those actions we may take and those we will coordinate with our allies and partners, or those that we’ll carry out through multilateral institutions.
...
The suffering and bloodshed is outrageous and it is unacceptable. So are threats and orders to shoot peaceful protesters

Libya Sanctions

On February 25, 2011 President Obama issued a press statement noting his support for sanctions on Libya.

The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release February 25, 2011
Statement by the President on Libya Sanctions
The Libyan government’s continued violation of human rights, brutalization of its people, and outrageous threats have rightly drawn the strong and broad condemnation of the international community. By any measure, Muammar el-Qaddafi’s government has violated international norms and common decency and must be held accountable. These sanctions therefore target the Qaddafi government, while protecting the assets that belong to the people of Libya.
Going forward, the United States will continue to closely coordinate our actions with the international community, including our friends and allies, and the United Nations. We will stand steadfastly with the Libyan people in their demand for universal rights, and a government that is responsive to their aspirations. Their human dignity cannot be denied.

Executive Order - Blocking Transactions with Libya

On February 25, of 2011, the Obama administration issued an executive order noting that any property of Libya may not be transferred or dealt.

The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release February 25, 2011
Executive Order--Libya
EXECUTIVE ORDER
BLOCKING PROPERTY AND PROHIBITING CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS RELATED TO LIBYA
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) (NEA), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code,
I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, find that Colonel Muammar Qadhafi, his government, and close associates have taken extreme measures against the people of Libya, including by using weapons of war, mercenaries, and wanton violence against unarmed civilians. I further find that there is a serious risk that Libyan state assets will be misappropriated by Qadhafi, members of his government, members of his family, or his close associates if those assets are not protected. The foregoing circumstances, the prolonged attacks, and the increased numbers of Libyans seeking refuge in other countries from the attacks, have caused a deterioration in the security of Libya and pose a serious risk to its stability, thereby constituting an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, and I hereby declare a national emergency to deal with that threat.
I hereby order:
Section 1. All property and interests in property that are in the United States, that hereafter come within the United States, or that are or hereafter come within the possession or control of any United States person, including any overseas branch, of the following persons are blocked and may not be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in:
(a) the persons listed in the Annex to this order; and
(b) any person determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State:
(i) to be a senior official of the Government of Libya;
(ii) to be a child of Colonel Muammar Qadhafi;
(iii) to be responsible for or complicit in, or responsible for ordering, controlling, or otherwise directing, or to have participated in, the commission of human rights abuses related to political repression in Libya;
(iv) to have materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, logistical, or technical support for, or goods or services in support of the activities described in subsection (b)(iii) of this section or any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order;
(v) to be owned or controlled by, or to have acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order; or
(vi) to be a spouse or dependent child of any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order.
Sec. 2. All property and interests in property that are in the United States, that hereafter come within the United States, or that are or hereafter come within the possession or control of any United States person, including any overseas branch, of the Government of Libya, its agencies, instrumentalities, and controlled entities, and the Central Bank of Libya, are blocked and may not be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in.
Sec. 3. For those persons whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order who might have a constitutional presence in the United States, I find that because of the ability to transfer funds or other assets instantaneously, prior notice to such persons of measures to be taken pursuant to this order would render those measures ineffectual. I therefore determine that for these measures to be effective in addressing the national emergency declared in this order, there need be no prior notice of a listing or determination made pursuant to section 1 of this order.
Sec. 4. I hereby determine that, to the extent section 203(b)(2) of IEEPA (50 U.S.C. 1702(b)(2)) may apply, the making of donations of the type of articles specified in such section by, to, or for the benefit of any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to sections 1 and 2 of this order would seriously impair my ability to deal with the national emergency declared in this order, and I hereby prohibit such donations as provided by sections 1 and 2 of this order.
Sec. 5. The prohibitions in sections 1 and 2 of this order include but are not limited to:
(a) the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order; and
(b) the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.
Sec. 6. The prohibitions in sections 1 and 2 of this order apply except to the extent provided by statutes, or in regulations, orders, directives, or licenses that may be issued pursuant to this order, and notwithstanding any contract entered into or any license or permit granted prior to the effective date of this order.
Sec. 7. (a) Any transaction by a United States person or within the United States that evades or avoids, has the purpose of evading or avoiding, causes a violation of, or attempts to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in this order is prohibited.
(b) Any conspiracy formed to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in this order is prohibited.
Sec. 8. Nothing in this order shall prohibit transactions for the conduct of the official business of the Federal Government by employees, grantees, or contractors thereof.
Sec. 9. For the purposes of this order:
(a) the term "person" means an individual or entity;
(b) the term "entity" means a partnership, association, trust, joint venture, corporation, group, subgroup, or other organization; and
(c) the term "United States person" means any United States citizen or national, permanent resident alien, entity organized under the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States (including foreign branches), or any person in the United States.
Sec. 10. The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, is hereby authorized to take such actions, including the promulgation of rules and regulations, and to employ all powers granted to the President by IEEPA as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this order. The Secretary of the Treasury may redelegate any of these functions to other officers and agencies of the United States Government consistent with applicable law. All agencies of the United States Government are hereby directed to take all appropriate measures within their authority to carry out the provisions of this order.
Sec. 11. The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, is hereby authorized to determine that circumstances no longer warrant the blocking of the property and interests in property of a person listed in the Annex to this order, and to take necessary action to give effect to that determination.
Sec. 12. The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, is hereby authorized to submit the recurring and final reports to the Congress on the national emergency declared in this order, consistent with section 401(c) of the NEA (50 U.S.C. 1641(c)) and section 204(c) of IEEPA (50 U.S.C. 1703(c)).
Sec. 13. This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
Sec. 14. This order is effective at 8:00 p.m. eastern standard time on February 25, 2011.
BARACK OBAMA
THE WHITE HOUSE,
February 25, 2011.

Suspension of Embassy

On February 25, 2011 the White House spokesman stated at a press conference that the embassy in Tripoli was being closed and that embassy operations were being suspended.

And so I have a few things I want to tell you about Libya before I take your questions. The State Department has suspended embassy operations in Libya and will temporarily withdraw all embassy employees from Tripoli. A ferry with approximately 200 U.S. citizens left this morning. A charter plane recently took off for Istanbul, Turkey, with remaining embassy personnel and American citizens who had requested evacuation. Further to what I started with, that obviously was very recent and one of the reasons why I wanted to delay the briefing was to make sure that plane had taken off.

Consistent with the President’s tasking to the government to prepare options to hold the Libyan government accountable for its violation of human rights, we have decided to move forward with unilateral sanctions, which we are in the process of finalizing; coordinated sanctions with our European allies; and multilateral efforts to hold the Libyan government accountable through the United Nations.

Muammar Gaddafi Must Go

On March 3, 2011 President Obama stated in a press conference that Muannar Gaddafi must go. He stated that those who perpetrate violence against the Libyan people will be held accountable.

Going forward, we will continue to send a clear message: the violence must stop; Muammar Gaddafi has lost the legitimacy to lead and he must leave; those who perpetrate violence against the Libyan people will be held accountable; and the aspirations of the Libyan people for freedom, democracy and dignity must be met.

Diplomatic Relations with Opposition

On March 14, 2011 Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with leaders of the Libyan opposition force in Paris, France. Secretary Clinton also met with leaders of other nations to discuss the situation in Libya. A spokesman noted that the leaders met and discussed ways to assist the opposition leaders in overthrowing Muammar Gaddafi.

UN Resolution

On March 17, 2011 the United Nations passed Resolution 1973, which authorized a no-fly zone over Libya. The resolution demanded the immediate establishment of a ceasefire and a complete end to violence and all attacks against, and abuses of, civilians. The resolution banned the presence of an occupation force, and called for the freezing of assets of Muammar Qaddafi.

“Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,
“1. Demands the immediate establishment of a ceasefire and a complete end to violence and all attacks against, and abuses of, civilians;
“2. Stresses the need to intensify efforts to find a solution to the crisis which responds to the legitimate demands of the Libyan people and notes the decisions of the Secretary-General to send his Special Envoy to Libya and of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union to send its ad hoc High-Level Committee to Libya with the aim of facilitating dialogue to lead to the political reforms necessary to find a peaceful and sustainable solution;
“3. Demands that the Libyan authorities comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, human rights and refugee law and take all measures to protect civilians and meet their basic needs, and to ensure the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian assistance;
“Protection of civilians
“4. Authorizes Member States that have notified the Secretary-General, acting nationally or through regional organizations or arrangements, and acting in cooperation with the Secretary-General, to take all necessary measures, notwithstanding paragraph 9 of resolution 1970 (2011), to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, including Benghazi, while excluding a foreign occupation force of any form on any part of Libyan territory, and requests the Member States concerned to inform the Secretary-General immediately of the measures they take pursuant to the authorization conferred by this paragraph which shall be immediately reported to the Security Council;
“5. Recognizes the important role of the League of Arab States in matters relating to the maintenance of international peace and security in the region, and bearing in mind Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, requests the Member States of the League of Arab States to cooperate with other Member States in the implementation of paragraph 4;
“No-fly zone
“6. Decides to establish a ban on all flights in the airspace of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in order to help protect civilians;
“7. Decides further that the ban imposed by paragraph 6 shall not apply to flights whose sole purpose is humanitarian, such as delivering or facilitating the delivery of assistance, including medical supplies, food, humanitarian workers and related assistance, or evacuating foreign nationals from the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, nor shall it apply to flights authorised by paragraphs 4 or 8, nor other flights which are deemed necessary by States acting under the authorization conferred in paragraph 8 to be for the benefit of the Libyan people, and that these flights shall be coordinated with any mechanism established under paragraph 8;
“8. Authorizes Member States that have notified the Secretary-General and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, acting nationally or through regional organizations or arrangements, to take all necessary measures to enforce compliance with the ban on flights imposed by paragraph 6 above, as necessary, and requests the States concerned in cooperation with the League of Arab States to coordinate closely with the Secretary General on the measures they are taking to implement this ban, including by establishing an appropriate mechanism for implementing the provisions of paragraphs 6 and 7 above,
“9. Calls upon all Member States, acting nationally or through regional organizations or arrangements, to provide assistance, including any necessary overflight approvals, for the purposes of implementing paragraphs 4, 6, 7 and 8 above;
“10. Requests the Member States concerned to coordinate closely with each other and the Secretary-General on the measures they are taking to implement paragraphs 4, 6, 7 and 8 above, including practical measures for the monitoring and approval of authorised humanitarian or evacuation flights;
“11. Decides that the Member States concerned shall inform the Secretary-General and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States immediately of measures taken in exercise of the authority conferred by paragraph 8 above, including to supply a concept of operations;
“12. Requests the Secretary-General to inform the Council immediately of any actions taken by the Member States concerned in exercise of the authority conferred by paragraph 8 above and to report to the Council within 7 days and every month thereafter on the implementation of this resolution, including information on any violations of the flight ban imposed by paragraph 6 above;
“Enforcement of the arms embargo
“13. Decides that paragraph 11 of resolution 1970 (2011) shall be replaced by the following paragraph : “Calls upon all Member States, in particular States of the region, acting nationally or through regional organisations or arrangements, in order to ensure strict implementation of the arms embargo established by paragraphs 9 and 10 of resolution 1970 (2011), to inspect in their territory, including seaports and airports, and on the high seas, vessels and aircraft bound to or from the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, if the State concerned has information that provides reasonable grounds to believe that the cargo contains items the supply, sale, transfer or export of which is prohibited by paragraphs 9 or 10 of resolution 1970 (2011) as modified by this resolution, including the provision of armed mercenary personnel, calls upon all flag States of such vessels and aircraft to cooperate with such inspections and authorises Member States to use all measures commensurate to the specific circumstances to carry out such inspections”;
“14. Requests Member States which are taking action under paragraph 13 above on the high seas to coordinate closely with each other and the Secretary-General and further requests the States concerned to inform the Secretary-General and the Committee established pursuant to paragraph 24 of resolution 1970 (2011) (“the Committee”) immediately of measures taken in the exercise of the authority conferred by paragraph 13 above;
“15. Requires any Member State whether acting nationally or through regional organisations or arrangements, when it undertakes an inspection pursuant to paragraph 13 above, to submit promptly an initial written report to the Committee containing, in particular, explanation of the grounds for the inspection, the results of such inspection, and whether or not cooperation was provided, and, if prohibited items for transfer are found, further requires such Member States to submit to the Committee, at a later stage, a subsequent written report containing relevant details on the inspection, seizure, and disposal, and relevant details of the transfer, including a description of the items, their origin and intended destination, if this information is not in the initial report;
“16. Deplores the continuing flows of mercenaries into the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and calls upon all Member States to comply strictly with their obligations under paragraph 9 of resolution 1970 (2011) to prevent the provision of armed mercenary personnel to the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya;
“Ban on flights
“17. Decides that all States shall deny permission to any aircraft registered in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya or owned or operated by Libyan nationals or companies to take off from, land in or overfly their territory unless the particular flight has been approved in advance by the Committee, or in the case of an emergency landing;
“18. Decides that all States shall deny permission to any aircraft to take off from, land in or overfly their territory, if they have information that provides reasonable grounds to believe that the aircraft contains items the supply, sale, transfer, or export of which is prohibited by paragraphs 9 and 10 of resolution 1970 (2011) as modified by this resolution, including the provision of armed mercenary personnel, except in the case of an emergency landing;
“Asset freeze
“19. Decides that the asset freeze imposed by paragraph 17, 19, 20 and 21 of resolution 1970 (2011) shall apply to all funds, other financial assets and economic resources which are on their territories, which are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Libyan authorities, as designated by the Committee, or by individuals or entities acting on their behalf or at their direction, or by entities owned or controlled by them, as designated by the Committee, and decides further that all States shall ensure that any funds, financial assets or economic resources are prevented from being made available by their nationals or by any individuals or entities within their territories, to or for the benefit of the Libyan authorities, as designated by the Committee, or individuals or entities acting on their behalf or at their direction, or entities owned or controlled by them, as designated by the Committee, and directs the Committee to designate such Libyan authorities, individuals or entities within 30 days of the date of the adoption of this resolution and as appropriate thereafter;
“20. Affirms its determination to ensure that assets frozen pursuant to paragraph 17 of resolution 1970 (2011) shall, at a later stage, as soon as possible be made available to and for the benefit of the people of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya;
“21. Decides that all States shall require their nationals, persons subject to their jurisdiction and firms incorporated in their territory or subject to their jurisdiction to exercise vigilance when doing business with entities incorporated in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya or subject to its jurisdiction, and any individuals or entities acting on their behalf or at their direction, and entities owned or controlled by them, if the States have information that provides reasonable grounds to believe that such business could contribute to violence and use of force against civilians;
“Designations
“22. Decides that the individuals listed in Annex I shall be subject to the travel restrictions imposed in paragraphs 15 and 16 of resolution 1970 (2011), and decides further that the individuals and entities listed in Annex II shall be subject to the asset freeze imposed in paragraphs 17, 19, 20 and 21 of resolution 1970 (2011);
“23. Decides that the measures specified in paragraphs 15, 16, 17, 19, 20 and 21 of resolution 1970 (2011) shall apply also to individuals and entities determined by the Council or the Committee to have violated the provisions of resolution 1970 (2011), particularly paragraphs 9 and 10 thereof, or to have assisted others in doing so;
“Panel of Experts
“24. Requests the Secretary-General to create for an initial period of one year, in consultation with the Committee, a group of up to eight experts (“Panel of Experts”), under the direction of the Committee to carry out the following tasks:
(a) Assist the Committee in carrying out its mandate as specified in paragraph 24 of resolution 1970 (2011) and this resolution;
(b) Gather, examine and analyse information from States, relevant United Nations bodies, regional organisations and other interested parties regarding the implementation of the measures decided in resolution 1970 (2011) and this resolution, in particular incidents of non-compliance;
(c) Make recommendations on actions the Council, or the Committee or State, may consider to improve implementation of the relevant measures;
(d) Provide to the Council an interim report on its work no later than 90 days after the Panel’s appointment, and a final report to the Council no later than 30 days prior to the termination of its mandate with its findings and recommendations;
“25. Urges all States, relevant United Nations bodies and other interested parties, to cooperate fully with the Committee and the Panel of Experts, in particular by supplying any information at their disposal on the implementation of the measures decided in resolution 1970 (2011) and this resolution, in particular incidents of non-compliance;
“26. Decides that the mandate of the Committee as set out in paragraph 24 of resolution 1970 (2011) shall also apply to the measures decided in this resolution;
“27. Decides that all States, including the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, shall take the necessary measures to ensure that no claim shall lie at the instance of the Libyan authorities, or of any person or body in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, or of any person claiming through or for the benefit of any such person or body, in connection with any contract or other transaction where its performance was affected by reason of the measures taken by the Security Council in resolution 1970 (2011), this resolution and related resolutions;
“28. Reaffirms its intention to keep the actions of the Libyan authorities under continuous review and underlines its readiness to review at any time the measures imposed by this resolution and resolution 1970 (2011), including by strengthening, suspending or lifting those measures, as appropriate, based on compliance by the Libyan authorities with this resolution and resolution 1970 (2011);
“29. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.”

Reaction to UN Resolution

On March 18, 2011 President Obama spoke at a press conference and stated that the Muammar Gaddafi had lost the legitimacy to lead and expressed intentions to harm his own people even further. He noted the authorization of a no-fly zone over Libya from the UN and stated that the US would not be committing ground troops and that the US would not use force without specific goals.

For decades, he has demonstrated a willingness to use brute force through his sponsorship of terrorism against the American people as well as others, and through the killings that he has carried out within his own borders. And just yesterday, speaking of the city of Benghazi -- a city of roughly 700,000 people -- he threatened, and I quote: “We will have no mercy and no pity” -- no mercy on his own citizens.
...
I also want to be clear about what we will not be doing. The United States is not going to deploy ground troops into Libya. And we are not going to use force to go beyond a well-defined goal -- specifically, the protection of civilians in Libya. In the coming weeks, we will continue to help the Libyan people with humanitarian and economic assistance so that they can fulfill their aspirations peacefully.

Use of Force in Libya

On March 19, 2011 President Obama announced that he was authorizing the use of force against Libya under the authority of the UN resolution authorizing a no-fly zone. The President also wrote a letter to the Speaker of the House.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 authorized Member States, under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter, to take all necessary measures to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack in Libya, including the establishment and enforcement of a "no-fly zone" in the airspace of Libya. United States military efforts are discrete and focused on employing unique U.S. military capabilities to set the conditions for our European allies and Arab partners to carry out the measures authorized by the U.N. Security Council Resolution.
Muammar Qadhafi was provided a very clear message that a cease-fire must be implemented immediately. The international community made clear that all attacks against civilians had to stop; Qadhafi had to stop his forces from advancing on Benghazi; pull them back from Ajdabiya, Misrata, and Zawiya; and establish water, electricity, and gas supplies to all areas. Finally, humanitarian assistance had to be allowed to reach the people of Libya.

Muammar Qaddafi not Objective

On March 20, 2011 Secretary of Defense Robert Gates stated that the UN resolution calling for a no-fly zone did not give the US the authority to remove Muammar Qaddafi from power. He also stated that President Obama felt strongly that the US role should be limited.

If we start adding additional objectives, then I think we create a problem in that respect. I also think that it is unwise to set as specific goals things that you may or may not be able to achieve.
We will have a military role in the coalition. But we will not have the pre-eminent role. And the president felt strongly, I would say, about limiting the scale of U.S. military involvement in this.
We received strong indications from several Arab states that they would participate. This is a new endeavor for them and the notion that it takes a while to get it organized and get there shouldn’t be a surprise.

US to Tone Down Role

On March 21, 2010 President Obama stated that the US would be one of many in a coalition of countries but that it would not have the preeminent role in the actions in Libya. The President stated that a transfer of responsibility from the US to other countries would be taking place.

We will be one of the partners among many. ... Obviously, the situation is evolving on the ground, and how quickly this transfer takes place will be determined by the recommendation of our commanding officers that the first phase of the mission has been completed.

References

[1] Website: CBS News Article: Sec. Clinton meets with Libyan rebels in Paris Author: AP Accessed on: 03/21/2011

[2] Website: Fox News Article: Obama Shakes Hands With Libya's Qaddafi Author: NA Accessed on: 03/21/2011

[3] Website: CNS News Article: As Clinton Cites Libya As Example, Gaddafi Attacks U.S. Author: Patrick Goodenough Accessed on: 03/21/2011

[4] Website: Council on Foreign Relations Article: Council on Foreign Relations Address by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Author: NA Accessed on: 03/21/2011

[5] Website: Reuters Article: Obama breaks silence, condemns Libya crackdown Author: Alister Bull and Arshad Mohammed Accessed on: 03/21/2011

[6] Website: Jewish World Review Article: First Libyan city falls to Gadhafi's opponents Author: Jonathan S. Landay, Warren P. Strobel and Shashank Bengali Accessed on: 03/21/2011

[7] Website: The LA Times Article: Libyan opposition reportedly seizes key western city Author: Bob Drogin and Raja Abdulrahim Accessed on: 03/21/2011

[8] Website: Bloomberg Article: Gates Says Targeting Qaddafi Goes Beyond UN Resolution on Libya Author: Viola Gienger Accessed on: 03/21/2011

[9] Website: BBC Article: US 'to tone down role in Libya' Author: NA Accessed on: 03/21/2011

[10] Website: The United Nations Article: Resolution 1973 Author: United Nations Accessed on: 03/21/2011

[11] Website: Hot Air Article: Video: Meet the man who took Tobruk from Gaddafi; Author: ED MORRISSEY Accessed on: 03/21/2011

[12] Website: CNN Article: Doctors report 17 dead in Libyan city of Zawiya Author: NA Accessed on: 03/21/2011

[13] Website: Human Rights Watch Article: Libya: End Violent Crackdown in Tripoli Author: NA Accessed on: 03/21/2011

[14] Website: Reuters Article: Libyan warplanes bomb rebels in east - Al Jazeera Author: NA Accessed on: 03/21/2011

[15] Website: Christian Science Monitor Article: Qaddafi rout of Libya rebels pulls morale to a new low Author: Dan Murphy Accessed on: 03/21/2011