Obama issues ultimatum, says Libyan forces must pull back

(Reuters) - President Barack Obama said on Friday Muammar Gaddafi's government must end violence and pull back troops from towns under attack, or face military action.

]Gaddafi's government earlier declared a unilateral ceasefire as Western warplanes prepared to attack his forces, which had defeated rebels in the western city of Zawiyah and driven them back in a counter-offensive toward Benghazi in the east.

In the rebel-held western city of Misrata, surrounded by government forces, residents said there was no sign of a ceasefire. And in the rebel-controlled east, the government declaration was dismissed as a ruse.

"All attacks against civilians must stop," Obama said. "Gaddafi must stop his troops from advancing on Benghazi, pull them back from Ajdabiya, Misrata and Zawiyah, and establish water, electricity and gas supplies to all areas. Humanitarian assistance must be allowed to reach the people of Libya."

"Let me be clear, these terms are not negotiable... If Gaddafi does not comply ... the resolution will be enforced through military action."

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said everything was ready to launch military strikes in Libya and that the ceasefire would need to cover the whole country.

Britain, like France a strong advocate of armed action, said it would judge Gaddafi by "actions, not his words."

Click here to read the article.


We finally act together with the U.N. to stop the madness, but alas our forces are stretched thin.

Although Ghadaffi called a "cease-fire," apparently he was still attacking the rebels in the midst of his announcement.



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reply to post by v1rtu0s0
What's the betting that it will fall of deaf ears?

Ghad called a cease-fire bluff earlier. Sometimes it just takes ALOT of diplomacy to make it happen.

Originally posted by alldaylong
reply to post by v1rtu0s0

 

What's the betting that it will fall of deaf ears?

According to US Ambassador Susan Rice on CNN (talking now), it won't be long before action is taken.

Assets are in position, she says, and Ghadaffi must stop immediately.

reply to post by v1rtu0s0


Baroc Odumbya , Always a Day Late and a Dollar Short .....................Zzzzzz....

Agreed. Wouldn't be surprised if he goes on vacation at this point.

However this announcement is a big deal... it means war #3.

Originally posted by Zanti Misfit
reply to post by v1rtu0s0

 

Baroc Odumbya , Always a Day Late and a Dollar Short .....................Zzzzzz....

Who is going to stop Barry from committing war crimes? He kills lots of innocent Pakistani civilians everyday, and no one ever tells America to pull back. Barry is a hypocrite, he should step down.

reply to post by Rockdisjoint


He's nothing more than a figure-head, forced to take orders from the shadow government.

Still, and for whatever reason, obama has now decided to take some action on the Libya crisis. Let's see if this will also provide momentum for him to begin to tackle the other world and domestic issues.

They may be pulling more troops. Someone I know just got a one day notice for leave...and he's only been back from a tour from Afghanistan a short time.

Of course this could be isolated...just thought I'd add. Has anyone heard anything similar?

Originally posted by David9176
They may be pulling more troops. Someone I know just got a one day notice for leave...and he's only been back from a tour from Afghanistan a short time.

Of course this could be isolated...just thought I'd add. Has anyone heard anything similar?

The UN resolution does not allow for ground forces.

Which is good!

reply to post by v1rtu0s0


So tell me , did CONGRESS just Declare War on Lybia ? If not , then the President is Abusing his Powers here with this Illegal Act , no ?

reply to post by Rockdisjoint


Here Here ! Once Again the Voice of Reason Ron Paul reminds us of REALITY . Is Anyone Actually LISTENING ? .............Sigh



www.youtube.com...

Originally posted by Zanti Misfit
So tell me , did CONGRESS just Declare War on Lybia ? If not , then the President is Abusing his Powers here with this Illegal Act , no ?

There was no declaration of war for the military action in Afghanistan or Iraq either. Congress gave authorization to the President to use military force, through the AUMFs.

The military action in Libya would be in accordance with a Security Council resolution, pursuant to a treaty, the United Nations Charter, that the United States ratified in 1945. Unless you’re arguing that didn’t constitute authorization by Congress, I don’t think there are any constitutional problems here.

But I would like to know more about your argument.

reply to post by Zanti Misfit


You're preaching to the choir here.

reply to post by aptness


I will let Mr. Ron Paul Answer your Question here ........



www.youtube.com...

Originally posted by Zanti Misfit
I will let Mr. Ron Paul Answer your Question here ...

Unfortunately Sen. Paul doesn’t elaborate on why exactly he believes it to be unconstitutional. He says, vaguely, that military action in Libya is “against international law and the War Powers Resolution.”

I don’t quite understand the international law argument seeing as this particular military mission, the United States will likely participate, was approved in accordance with the UN Charter. How can it be against international law if it was done in accordance with international law? Unless he disputes the Security Council can do what the UN Charter, expressly, says it can.

The second argument, the War Powers Resolution one, might have some more merit, but I guess we have to wait for the bill the Senator said he is going to introduce to seek “approval from Congress,” where, hopefully, he will elaborate on why he thinks this violates the War Powers Act.

The War Powers Act contemplates more than declarations of war in order the President “to introduce United States Armed Forces into hostilities,” namely statutory authorizations and national emergencies. Your initial argument, strictly opposing it because there was no declaration of war, in light of the War Powers Act the Senator mentions, doesn’t have much merit.

However, and contrary to what you might think, I don’t oppose the President having to request Congress authorization to use military force, even when it’s in pursuance of and accordance with, such as in this case, a Security Council resolution. Unfortunately, Presidents don’t see it that way.

For instance, in the first Gulf War, George H. W. Bush argued that he didn’t need Congressional authority and deployed troops overseas without any Congressional authorization. He eventually requested a joint resolution from Congress authorizing the use of force against Iraq, almost 6 months after the deployment of troops, and did so stressing it was merely a courtesy to Congress.

In the case of the military action in Kosovo, there wasn’t even any UN resolution, and it was done under the banner of NATO and “international humanitarian emergency.” There wasn’t any Congressional authorization for that war. The Clinton administration later claimed the appropriations bill Congress passed funding the war qualified as statutory authorization. I believe some members of Congress disputed that in Court and it didn’t go anywhere.

Considering the practices by these and other Presidents, the odds are against Sen. Paul’s efforts going anywhere, but I would be in favor of reinstituting the practice of Presidents requiring Congressional authorization.

Ghaddafi was allowed and empowered to destroy the rebel threat. Israel paid for foreign mercenaries to hunt down and kill rebels, and arms were supplied.
This was all planned. By destroying the rebels, it was assured that there will not be a real power to contend with once Ghaddafi is removed. There will be a leadership void, which shall be filled by the next puppet.
All planned.

reply to post by Stewie


Interesting theory. You should make a thread about this.


So you say Israel planned this?

reply to post by v1rtu0s0

Israeli leaders are an integral part, but I believe it is essentially a "family" thing, a family that have no national identity(ies).
Like chess, you take out the pieces in a calculated way, but unlike chess, you can have the enemy kill each other in this game. A game to ultimately control all resources.