President Obama on Friday threatened to take military action against Libyan President Moammar Gadhafi if the dictator doesn’t halt the attacks on his own people, but added that the U.S. would not deploy ground troops or use force beyond what’s necessary to protect Libyan citizens.
“A cease-fire must be implemented immediately,” Obama said in a White House press conference, calling those terms non-negotiable. “That means all attacks against civilians must stop. Gadhafi must stop his troops from advancing. … Humanitarian assistance must be allowed to reach the people of Libya.”
Obama’s remarks came less than a day after the United Nations Security Council voted to move ahead with military action to prevent Gadhafi from continuing his attacks against Libyan rebels seeking to oust him.
The president repeatedly sought to frame American intervention as part of global effort, saying the U.S. could not impose its will on the Libyan people.
“Here’s why this matters to us,” Obama said of the military intervention. “Left unchecked, we have every reason to believe that Gadhafi would commit atrocities against his people. Many thousands could die. A humanitarian crisis could ensue.”
However, critics have accused the president of waiting too long to authorize military action, saying he has failed to sufficiently support Democratic movements sweeping through the Middle East.
Obama did not specify what military actions he would consider, but administration officials have said that American forces could help enforce a no-fly zone to prevent the Libyan leader from using his air force to bomb civilians.
Obama will leave for Brazil late Friday, his travel plans unaffected by the international crisis.
Libya announced a cease-fire Friday, just after the U.N. voted to pursue military action, but U.S. officials said the situtation on the ground hasn’t changed since it was declared.
