Caryn Freeman 6:00PM EST
President Obama responded today to Thursday's vote at the United Nation's to implement a no fly zone over Libyan air space and urged Qadhafi to adhere to the cease-fire and pull back from several besieged cities or face military consequences. Although the President suggested the US would only be willing to provide air support to Libyan rebels. It is the first clear concise message that has come from the White House and the President. With the U.S. already engaged in two costly wars in the region U.S. officials are hoping that North Atlantic Treaty Organization members Britain, France Denmark, Spain will carry the brunt of front line fighting in the region. The situation is still tense and many around the world continue to look to the U.S. to support democracy in the region. Nicolas Sarkozy's government said it will host talks on Saturday between the European Council president, Arab League officials and senior representatives of all states wanting to support a U.N.-mandated intervention in Libya.
In response to the UN vote Qadhafi has called for a cease-fire but reporters and rebel fighters on the ground say that no cease fire has taken place. In response to reports that there has been no cease fire Libiyan Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim told reporters that the presence of the Libyan army in areas where government supporters have been engaged in some of the worst fighting so far is not against the UN's no fly zone mandate. "As for the presence of the army in Libyan cities, we consider that important for the security of citizens. It does not violate the ceasefire," Kaim said. "The cease-fire means no military operations, big or small, Kaim said. "The other point is that armed forces are now outside Benghazi and have no intention of entering the city."
President Obama responded today to Thursday's vote at the United Nation's to implement a no fly zone over Libyan air space and urged Qadhafi to adhere to the cease-fire and pull back from several besieged cities or face military consequences. Although the President suggested the US would only be willing to provide air support to Libyan rebels. It is the first clear concise message that has come from the White House and the President. With the U.S. already engaged in two costly wars in the region U.S. officials are hoping that North Atlantic Treaty Organization members Britain, France Denmark, Spain will carry the brunt of front line fighting in the region. The situation is still tense and many around the world continue to look to the U.S. to support democracy in the region. Nicolas Sarkozy's government said it will host talks on Saturday between the European Council president, Arab League officials and senior representatives of all states wanting to support a U.N.-mandated intervention in Libya.
In response to the UN vote Qadhafi has called for a cease-fire but reporters and rebel fighters on the ground say that no cease fire has taken place. In response to reports that there has been no cease fire Libiyan Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim told reporters that the presence of the Libyan army in areas where government supporters have been engaged in some of the worst fighting so far is not against the UN's no fly zone mandate. "As for the presence of the army in Libyan cities, we consider that important for the security of citizens. It does not violate the ceasefire," Kaim said. "The cease-fire means no military operations, big or small, Kaim said. "The other point is that armed forces are now outside Benghazi and have no intention of entering the city."