Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addressed the United States today after coming out of a security conference in PArs dealing with NATO and Arab League allies on the subject of Libya and UN Security Council Resolution 1973, just passed late this week, authorizing military action.
She said that French fighters are currently in the sky above Benghazi, and that "there will be other actions to follow." Nicolas Sarkozi suggested that his warplanes may target Gadhafi government tanks later today.
Clinton said that the United States is working to support her NATO allies and many Arab states, including members of the Arab League, to protect civilians in Libya. She said that the members of this team are willing to "do whatever is necessary" to protect them.
Clinton reiterated that the mission is not about regime change, but to protect civilians "from their own government" and open the way for humanitarian efforts.
When asked directly whether or not significant improvement could be made in Libya with Gadhaffi still in power, she avoided giving a direct answer. "Taking into account countless permutations, there are many different outcomes. I'm not gong to speculate."
She credited French President Nicolas Sarkozi for stepping up and taking leadership of the effort to get the Security Council resolution passed and taking the lead in the military action.
She also briefly touched on the violence in Bahrain. She reminded her audience that the United States has enjoyed a decades long friendship with the Persian Gulf state and that she would like to see that friendship continue long into the future. She said that the goal of their policy in Bahrain is to begin a "credible" negotiation process that addresses the legitimate concerns of the protesters.
Clinton reiterated that the mission is not about regime change, but to protect civilians "from their own government" and open the way for humanitarian efforts.
When asked directly whether or not significant improvement could be made in Libya with Gadhaffi still in power, she avoided giving a direct answer. "Taking into account countless permutations, there are many different outcomes. I'm not gong to speculate."
She credited French President Nicolas Sarkozi for stepping up and taking leadership of the effort to get the Security Council resolution passed and taking the lead in the military action.
She also briefly touched on the violence in Bahrain. She reminded her audience that the United States has enjoyed a decades long friendship with the Persian Gulf state and that she would like to see that friendship continue long into the future. She said that the goal of their policy in Bahrain is to begin a "credible" negotiation process that addresses the legitimate concerns of the protesters.
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