Obama Authorizes 'Limited Military Action in Libya'
President Obama participates in a secure conference call with his National Security team regarding the situation in Libya. Official White House Photo/Pete Souza
Over the weekend, President Obama authorized "limited military action" in Libya. He said the use of force was not his first choice, and not a choice he makes lightly.
The President emphasized the U.S. is part of a broad coalition committed to protecting the Libyan troop.
Obama said Muammar Gadhafi had the chance to avoid this. “Despite the hollow words of his government, he has ignored that opportunity,” Obama said.
“We must be clear, actions have consequences and the writ of the international community must be enforced,” he said.
He emphasized the international support for the action and said he was proud the U.S. was acting as part of a coalition that included “partners who are prepared to meet their responsibilities."
The White House has said the U.S. military involvement in Libya would last days not weeks.
The President continues on his trip to South America. Today he travels from Brazil to Chile for the next leg of that trip.
Meanwhile, Republicans in Congress say the President has some explaining to do. House Speaker John Boehner issued this statement on the action taken in Libya:
“The United States has a moral obligation to stand with those who seek freedom from oppression and self-government for their people. It’s unacceptable and outrageous for Qadhafi to attack his own people, and the violence must stop. The President is the commander-in-chief, but the Administration has a responsibility to define for the American people, the Congress, and our troops what the mission in Libya is, better explain what America’s role is in achieving that mission, and make clear how it will be accomplished. Before any further military commitments are made, the Administration must do a better job of communicating to the American people and to Congress about our mission in Libya and how it will be achieved.”