US deploys warship carrying marines off Libya

[Bosonic]

Source: AFP

Washington (AFP) - The United States is deploying an amphibious assault ship with about 1,000 marines off the coast of Libya in case the US embassy must be evacuated, a US defense official said Tuesday.

The USS Bataan was to be in the area "in a matter of days," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The move was described as "precautionary" in case conditions in Libya, where militia battles have plunged the country into anarchy, worsen and require the embassy's evacuation.

The State Department said last week that the embassy in Tripoli was operating normally despite an offensive launched against Islamist militias by a dissident general, Khalifa Haftar.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/us-deploys-warship-carrying-marines-off-libya-185806624.html;_ylt=AwrBEiKM4oRTcXYAKzbQtDMD

[Maedhros]

1. It's a good thing we bombed Libya when we had the chance.

The resulting peace and prosperity is just OVERFLOWING.

[DustyJoe]

2. hmmmmmm

Delayed Benghazi response maybe ?

[Maedhros]

3. I'm not following you...

Are you thinking the stationing of the Marines offshore is a delayed response to Benghazi?

[KoKo]

4. To be cynical..probably offloading CIA and Private Contractors to replace the

military and diplomatic personnel there. A "Trade Off." But then I'm terribly cynical these days about what we do "Over There & Everywhere." So...I always figure it's the opposite of what they say is what I should be looking for.

[Jesus Malverde]

5. Gunboat diplomacy...Been blown it up since 1804

The Battle of Derne was the decisive victory of a mercenary army led by a detachment of United States Marines and soldiers against the forces of Tripoli during the First Barbary War. It was the first recorded land battle of the United States fought overseas.

Been blown it up since 1804.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Derne