Obama awaiting confirmation before commenting on Libya

Obama awaiting confirmation before commenting on Libya

2011-08-22 08:52:45 GMT+7 (ICT)

OAK BLUFFS, MASSACHUSETTS (BNO NEWS) -- U.S. President Barack Obama on late Sunday evening said he will not comment on the fast-moving situation in Libya until he has received full confirmation on what is happening there.

Heavy fighting was reported in parts of the Libyan capital of Tripoli on Saturday evening and Sunday evening, and continuing into Monday morning. Reports said rebels had taken over significant parts of Tripoli and the International Criminal Court (ICC) confirmed that the son of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, Seif al-Islam, has been arrested by rebel forces.

"We're going to wait until we have full confirmation of what has happened," Obama told reporters who asked about Libya. "I'll make a statement when we do." Obama is currently on an island off the coast of Massachusetts for his annual vacation.

Earlier on Sunday, White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest said Obama had been briefed on the situation in Libya by counterterrorism adviser John Brennan. He also received information from U.S. teams on the ground in the unofficial rebel capital of Benghazi.

"The national security team will continue to provide updates to the President on this situation, as necessary," Earnest said. "The United States continues to communicate closely with our allies, partners, and the Transitional National Council (TNC). We believe that Gaddafi's days are numbered, and that the Libyan people deserve a just, democratic and peaceful future."

Libya has been engulfed in a civil war since an uprising against Muammar Gaddafi's regime began in mid-February, leading to UN Security Council Resolution 1973 which authorized its member states to impose a no-fly zone over the North African country and take 'all necessary measures' to protect civilians. Since then, NATO forces have carried out hundreds of airstrikes across Libya to aid the rebels.

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