U.S. President Obama briefed on military operations in Libya

U.S. President Obama briefed on military operations in Libya

2011-03-20 21:34:39 GMT+7 (ICT)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) -- U.S. President Barack Obama and other senior U.S. officials were briefed about ongoing military operations in Libya on Sunday, the White House said.

The White House said Obama held a secure conference call at 9.20 a.m. Brazil time in which he was briefed by U.S. African Command (AFRICOM) Commander General Carter Ham about ongoing U.S. military operations in Libya.

Besides Obama and Ham, participating in the call were U.S. National Security Advisor Tom Donilon, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, U.S. Secretary of Defense Bob Gates, and Deputy National Security Advisor Denis McDonough.

"President Obama received a briefing from General Ham on U.S. military operations in Libya, as part of the international effort to enforce UN Security Council Resolution 1973," the White House said in a readout of the call. "The President also discussed the ongoing military and diplomatic consultations taking place on the situation in Libya."

In addition, the White House said that Obama offered his thanks and admiration to General Ham and asked that he communicate that to all of the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who are carrying out the operation.

On Saturday, Obama authorized the U.S. Armed Forces to begin a limited military action in Libya. "The United States is acting with a broad coalition that is committed to enforcing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, which calls for the protection of the Libyan people," he said during a news conference from Brazil.

He added: "This is not an outcome that the United States or any of our partners sought. Even yesterday, the international community offered Muammar Gaddafi the opportunity to pursue an immediate cease-fire, one that stopped the violence against civilians and the advances of Qaddafi's forces. But despite the hollow words of his government, he has ignored that opportunity. His attacks on his own people have continued. His forces have been on the move. And the danger faced by the people of Libya has grown."

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-03-20