Gadhafi has threatened international reporters in Libya, saying that they are now considered outlaws.
Tunisia has opened its borders with Libya, welcoming refugees with open arms and food.
American President Obama made a tense speech regarding Libya. He said that his administration was doing everything it could to protect American citizens in Libya and is evacuating them as expediently as possible.
He said that the US Foreign Service officers deserve the thanks of the nation for doing their duties in this time of crisis, despite it putting them in harm’s way.
Obama said that the US has maintained a set of core principles for dealing with the region. HE strongly condemned the use of violence in Libya, calling the suffering and bloodshed “outrageous and unacceptable” and saying that it must stop.
He said that the United States supports the universal rights of assembly, free speech, and the “ability to determine their own destiny.” He said that these are universal rights and that all the people of the world possess them.
He spoke of the unanimous UN Security Council decision condemning the Libyan government and calling for sanctions against the country. He cited similar documents coming from the European Union, the African Union, the Arab League, and governments around the world.
Obama called the situation volatile and said that he asked the State Department to consider all options available that could potentially aid the people of Libya, both unilaterally and multilaterally with the international community and allies such as NATO.
Closing, Obama said that the Libyan government must be held accountable for their failures to the people. He reminded them that the entire world is watching and that the US will coordinate relief for the suffering people.
Obama said that he has asked key administration personnel to make several stops in Europe to talk with allies there. He said that Secretary of State Clinton is to go to Geneva, Switzerland to speak with world leaders on human rights violations in Libya.
Finally, Obama reiterated that he still stands with Egypt and Tunisia and is committed to supporting the new efforts for democracy there. He said that the change in the region is being driven by the people: not by the US or any foreign power.
Many fear that if Gadhafi goes, then Libya will Balkanize- splitting into several states based on region or tribe. Tribal violence could become a major issue.
There are some who advocate, if the opportunity presents itself, to eliminate Gadhafi with a precision air or drone-missile strike.
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