RELATED:Obama defends Libya strategy to domestic critics5 nabbed after woman claims rape by Gaddafi henchmen Above the Fray: Survival is not an optionHe cited the US role as guardians of global security saying, "for generations, the United States of America has played a unique role as an anchor of global security and advocate for human freedom.""Mindful of the risks and costs of military action, we are naturally reluctant to use force to solve the world's many challenges. But when our interests and values are at stake, we have a responsibility to act. That is what happened in Libya over the course of these last six weeks."But he also underscored the limits of US military action as he sought to counter criticism that he lacked clear objectives and a credible exit strategy in the conflict."I can report that we have stopped Gaddafi's deadly advance," Obama told military officers at the National Defense University in Washington, 10 days after ordering US participation in Western-led air strikes."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 Gaddafi leaves power," Obama said.But he added that "it may not happen overnight" and acknowledged that Gaddafi may be able to cling to power. "Broadening our military mission to include regime change would be a mistake," he said.Obama spoke on the eve of a 35-nation conference in London to tackle the crisis in the North African oil-exporting country and weigh political options for ending Gaddafi's 41-year rule.Obama's challenge was to define the limited purpose and scope of the US mission in Libya for Americans preoccupied with domestic economic concerns and weary of costly wars in two other Muslim countries, Iraq and Afghanistan.But his words may not be enough to mollify Republican opponents who say he has failed to lead in recent global crises ranging from Middle East unrest to Japan's nuclear emergency.Obama's prime-time speech came a day after NATO agreed to assume full responsibility for military operations in Libya, ending uncertainty about who would take over the lead from US forces. "The US will play a supporting role for the coalition," he stated.He said the handover would take place on Wednesday.The alliance's decision gave a boost to Obama's effort to show Americans he was making good on his commitment to limit the US military's involvement in Libya. NATO will take charge of air strikes that have targeted Gaddafi's military infrastructure as well as a no-fly zone and an arms embargo.The White House also hopes Obama can score political points at home from gains on the battlefield by Libyan rebels emboldened by the Western air assault on Gaddafi's loyalists.
Obama says US won't use force to remove Gaddafi
US President: "We've stopped Gaddafi's deadly advance"; NATO to assume full responsibility for Libya operations.
RELATED:Obama defends Libya strategy to domestic critics5 nabbed after woman claims rape by Gaddafi henchmen Above the Fray: Survival is not an optionHe cited the US role as guardians of global security saying, "for generations, the United States of America has played a unique role as an anchor of global security and advocate for human freedom.""Mindful of the risks and costs of military action, we are naturally reluctant to use force to solve the world's many challenges. But when our interests and values are at stake, we have a responsibility to act. That is what happened in Libya over the course of these last six weeks."But he also underscored the limits of US military action as he sought to counter criticism that he lacked clear objectives and a credible exit strategy in the conflict."I can report that we have stopped Gaddafi's deadly advance," Obama told military officers at the National Defense University in Washington, 10 days after ordering US participation in Western-led air strikes."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 Gaddafi leaves power," Obama said.But he added that "it may not happen overnight" and acknowledged that Gaddafi may be able to cling to power. "Broadening our military mission to include regime change would be a mistake," he said.Obama spoke on the eve of a 35-nation conference in London to tackle the crisis in the North African oil-exporting country and weigh political options for ending Gaddafi's 41-year rule.Obama's challenge was to define the limited purpose and scope of the US mission in Libya for Americans preoccupied with domestic economic concerns and weary of costly wars in two other Muslim countries, Iraq and Afghanistan.But his words may not be enough to mollify Republican opponents who say he has failed to lead in recent global crises ranging from Middle East unrest to Japan's nuclear emergency.Obama's prime-time speech came a day after NATO agreed to assume full responsibility for military operations in Libya, ending uncertainty about who would take over the lead from US forces. "The US will play a supporting role for the coalition," he stated.He said the handover would take place on Wednesday.The alliance's decision gave a boost to Obama's effort to show Americans he was making good on his commitment to limit the US military's involvement in Libya. NATO will take charge of air strikes that have targeted Gaddafi's military infrastructure as well as a no-fly zone and an arms embargo.The White House also hopes Obama can score political points at home from gains on the battlefield by Libyan rebels emboldened by the Western air assault on Gaddafi's loyalists.