FULL text of President Obama's remarks today on Libya:

[pinboy3niner]

(Courtesy of Al Jazeera)

Over the last several weeks, the world has watched events unfold in Libya with horror and alarm. Last month protesters took to the streets across the country to demand their universal rights and a government that is accountable to them and responsive to their aspirations.

"But they were met with an iron fist.

"Within days, whole parts of the country declared their independence from a brutal regime, and members of the government serving in Libya and abroad chose to align themselves with the forces of change. Muammar Gaddafi clearly lost the confidence of his own people and the legitimacy to lead.

"Instead of respecting the rights of his own people, Gaddafi chose the path of brutal suppression. Innocent civilians were beaten, imprisoned and in some cases killed. Peaceful protests were forcefully put down. Hospitals were attacked, and patients disappeared.

"A campaign of intimidation and repression began.

"In the face of this injustice, the United States and the international community moved swiftly. Sanctions were put in place by the United States and our allies and partners. The UN Security Council imposed further sanctions, an arms embargo and the spectre of international accountability for Gaddafi and those around him.

"Humanitarian assistance was positioned on Libya's borders, and those displaced by the violence received our help.

"Ample warning was given that Gaddafi needed to stop his campaign of repression, or be held accountable. The Arab League and the European Union joined us in calling for an end to violence.

"Once again, Gaddafi chose to ignore the will of his people and the international community. Instead he launched a military campaign against his own people. There should be no doubt about his intentions, because he himself has made them clear.

"For decades, he's demonstrated a willingness to use brute force through his sponsorship of terrorism against the American people and others, and through the killings that he has carried out within his own borders. And just yesterday, speaking of the city of Benghazi, a city of roughly 700,000 people, he threatened, and I quote, 'We will have no mercy and no pity'.

"No mercy on his own citizens.

"Here's why this matters to us: left unchecked, we have every reason to believe that Gaddafi would commit atrocities against his people. Many thousands could die. A humanitarian crisis would ensue. The entire region could be destablised, endangering many of our allies and partners. The calls of the Libyan people for help would go unanswered. The democratic values we stand for would be overrun. Moreover, the words of the international community would be rendered hollow.

"That's why the United States has worked with our allies and partners to shape a strong international response at the United Nations. Our focus has been clear: protecting innocent civilians within Libya, and holding the Gaddafi regime accountable.

"Yesterday, in response to a call for action by the Libyan people and the Arab League, the UN Security Council passed a strong resolution that demands an end to the violence against citizens. It authorises the use of force with an explicit commitment to pursue all necessary measures to stop the killing, to include the enforcement of a no-fly zone over Libya.

"It also strengthens our sanctions, and the enforcement of an arms embargo against the Gaddafi regime.

"Now, once more, Muammar Gaddafi has a choice. The resolution that passed lays out very clear conditions that must be met. The United States, the United Kingdom, France and Arab states agree that a ceasefire must be implemented immediately. That means all attacks against civilians must stop. Gaddafi must stop his troops from advancing on Benghazi, pull them back from Ajdabiyah, Misurata and Az 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 negotioable. These terms are not subject to negotiation. If Gaddafi does not comply with the resolution, the international community will impose consequences: the resolution will be enforced through military action.

"In this effort, the United States is prepared to act as part of an international coalition. American leadership is essential, but that does not mean acting alone. It means shaping the conditions for the international community to act together. That's why I've directed Secretary Gates and our military to coordinate their planning and tomorrow Secretary Clinton will travel to Paris for a meeting with our European allies and Arab partners about the enforcement of resolution 1973.

"We will provide the unique capabilities that we can bring to bear to stop the violence against civilians, including enabling our European allies and Arab partners to effectively enforce a no-fly zone.

"I have no doubt that the men and women of our military are capable of carrying out this mission.

"Once more they have the thanks of a grateful nation, and the admiration of the world.

"I also want to be clear about what we will not be doing: the United States is not going to be deploying ground troops into Libya, and we are not going to use force to go beyond a well-defined goal, specifically the protection of civilians in Libya.

"In the coming weeks, we will continue to help the Libyan people with humanitarian and economic assistance so that they can fulfill their aspirations peacefully.

"The United States did not seek this outcome. Our decisions have been driven by Gaddafi's refusal to respect the rights of his people and the potential for mass murder of innocent civilians. It is not an action we will pursue alone. Indeed our British and French allies and members of the Arab League have already committed to taking a leadership role in the enforcement of this resolution, just as they were instrumental in pursuing it. We are coordinating closely with them. And this is precisely how the international community should work, as more nations bear both the responsibility and the cost of enforcing international law.

"This is just one more chapter in the change that is unfolding across the Middle East and North Africa. From the beginning of these protests, we made it clear that we are opposed to violence, we made clear our support for a set of universal values, and our support for the political and economic change that the people in the region deserve.

"But I want to be clear: the change in the region will not and cannot be imposed by the United States or any foreign power. Ultimately it will be driven by the people of the Arab world. It is their right and their responsibility to determine their own destiny.

"Let me close by saying that there is no decision that I face as your Commander-in-Chief that I consider as carefully as the decision to ask our men and women to use military force. Particularly at a time when our military is fighting in Afghanistan and winding down our activities in Iraq. That decision is only made more difficult. But the United States of America will not stand idly by in the face of actions that undermine global peace and security. So I've taken this decision with the confidence that action is necessary, and that we will not be acting alone.

"Our goal is focused, our cause is just, and our coalition is strong."

[Fire Walk With Me]

1. Thank you very much for posting that.

How fitting it comes through Al Jazeera :)

Freedom for the Libyan people!

[pinboy3niner]

12. I thought it was funny that AJE had it up before the White House site

Al Jazeera isn't perfect--I've had my disappointments with some correspondents--but, overall, they do a damn fine job.

I'll second your motion. Freedom for the Libyan people...LIBYA HURRA!

[meow mix]

2. ty mr president, go rebels!!

hope they turn it around

[dennis4868]

3. Great speech

The participation of the Arab League in this is unprecedented because they have never called for the UN to pursue military action against one of their members. I also applaud the president and other western nations for crafting the resolution in a way that makes the Arab League take the lead in the no-fly zone so that this cannot be easily spun as a war between Arabs and the West.

Sorry this post goes against the DU narrative of bashing Obama 24/7 no matter what the issue or facts are but this is what I believe....thanks!

[slay]

4. What wait there's an ELECTION next year? Time for yet another war! Yay!

:sarcasm: :puke:

I'm not saying I like what's going on in Libya - I don't. But why do WE - when unions are being busted, people are losing jobs, pay, and benefits - why the fuck to WE have to go get into yet another extremely costly war? Are we really this stupid? We can not be the police of the world! This is bullshit!

If they want this war then it should be DEMANDED that it be funded by tax increases on the rich!!! Or end RIGHT NOW - one of the other ones. Ugh. We need a NEW Democratic party that actually has their priorities and values straight. :grr: :mad:

*on edit: The cost of this war - where do you think the money will come from? How many more public workers will be fired or forced to take drastic pay and benefit cuts to pay for this insanity?

[Newest Reality]

8. I think the reason is because

we have invested a large portion of our national wealth into the Military Industrial Police State. The "defense" contractors have to make profits in this scheme. They won't just go away. With such a huge "defense" budget, I guess they don't want that huge investment to go to waste, just sitting there.

The rest of our collective wealth and power goes to the deadbeat rich. That seems to be policy now. Yet, I expect more and more surprised people asking why.

So, I am not critiquing the action or supporting here, just noting that "we" put a lot into this machine and taking it out for a spin seems like par for the course. We beat our plowshares into swords more and more each day.

[dixiegrrrrl]

5. I always appreciate finding the transcripts. Many thanks!

K&R

[dixiegrrrrl]

6. Take out Gadaffi's name, insert Walker's or Synder's......hmmm

[L. Coyote]

7. Obama: "the resolution will be enforced through military action"

"the United States of America will not stand idly by in the face of actions that undermine global peace and security"

Subtext: Keep the oil flowing!

[meow mix]

10. if that were the goal wouldnt we be supporting ghadaffi, who already has it flowing?

and oil companies already have the deal set with him. so im not following the logic.

bring down the govt can only cause supply problems.. and change the status quo. opposite of what you say we desire.

[malaise]

9. So why did he say Gaddafi today but

President Mubarak a few weeks ago? Is it a case of one man's dictator being another man's President.

[pinboy3niner]

11. What struck me...

The statement can be taken as indicating the U.S. will have a 'backseat' role.

Instead of being 'the tip of the spear,' and sending its pilots and warplanes in to conduct airstrikes, the U.S. role contribution may be in other areas.

In particular, the President speaks of 'enabling' other participants 'to enforce':

"We will provide the unique capabilities that we can bring to bear to stop the violence against civilians, including enabling our European allies and Arab partners to effectively enforce a no-fly zone.

That suggests that the U.S. will provide support, such as AWACS, but other countries will provide the attack aircraft and other weapons that may be deployed.

That impression is reinforced by his statement about the British and French and members of the Arab League "taking a leadership role in the enforcement" :

Indeed our British and French allies and members of the Arab League have already committed to taking a leadership role in the enforcement of this resolution...

But, whatever signals we may or may not divine from it, it was a strong statement and the President made very clear that:

"Let me be clear: these terms are not negotioable. These terms are not subject to negotiation. If Gaddafi does not comply with the resolution, the international community will impose consequences: the resolution will be enforced through military action.

[pinboy3niner]

13. Kick for those who missed it