Obama says Gaddafi needs to recognize his rule has come to an end

[News_Editor]

Obama says Gaddafi needs to recognize his rule has come to an end

2011-08-22 09:31:25 GMT+7 (ICT)

OAK BLUFFS, MASSACHUSETTS (BNO NEWS) -- U.S. President Barack Obama on late Sunday evening said Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and his supporters need to recognize that his rule has come to an end.

Obama made the statement after he held a conference call with senior members of his national security team who briefed him on the fast-moving situation in Libya. Obama is currently on an island off the coast of Massachusetts for his annual vacation.

Heavy fighting was reported in parts of the Libyan capital of Tripoli on Saturday 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.

"Tonight, the momentum against the Gaddafi regime has reached a tipping point," Obama said. "Tripoli is slipping from the grasp of a tyrant. The Gaddafi regime is showing signs of collapsing. The people of Libya are showing that the universal pursuit of dignity and freedom is far stronger than the iron first of a dictator."

Obama urged Gaddafi to relinquish his power once and for all to stop the conflict. "The surest way for the bloodshed to end is simple: Muammar Gaddafi and his regime need to recognize that their rule has come to an end. Gaddafi needs to acknowledge the reality that he no longer controls Libya," he said.

The U.S. leader added that the Transitional National Council (TNC), which the U.S. government has recognized as the legitimate governing authority of Libya, should continue to demonstrate the leadership necessary to steer the country through a transition by respecting the rights of the Libyan people, avoiding civilian casualties, protecting the institutions of the Libyan state, and pursuing a transition to democracy that is 'just and inclusive' for all of the people of Libya.

"The future of Libya is now in the hands of the Libyan people," Obama continued. "Going forward, the United States will continue to stay in close coordination with the TNC. We will continue to insist that the basic rights of the Libyan people are respected. And we will continue to work with our allies and partners in the international community to protect the people of Libya, and to support a peaceful transition to democracy."

White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest said that Obama, who had also been briefed by counterterrorism adviser John Brennan earlier on Sunday, will continue to be updated as necessary and is scheduled to be briefed on the topic again on Monday morning.

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.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-08-22

[coma]

Obama needs to recognize that his rule is coming to an end and stop preaching to other world leaders from countries on the opposite side of world.

[Ulysses G.]

Yes. Let Chris Christie tell them what to do.