DTN News - LIBYA UPRISING: Europe And US Step Up Pressure On Gaddafi To Go....NSI News Source Info # 1709
President Barack Obama said on Friday the United States and its allies were "tightening the noose" around Gaddafi and European Union leaders meeting in Brussels said they would consider all options to force the Libyan leader to step down.
However, the 27 leaders meeting in Brussels stopped short of endorsing air strikes, a no-fly zone or other military-backed means to achieve that goal. Libyan rebels said their three-week-old insurrection could fail without a no-fly zone.
The summit sidestepped a British and French initiative for a U.N. Security Council resolution that would authorise a no-fly zone.
They also would not back French President Nicolas Sarkozy's call to follow his lead and recognise the National Libyan Council as the country's legitimate authority, or his call for "defensive" air strikes against Gaddafi's forces if they used chemical weapons or warplanes against civilians.
Libya suspended diplomatic relations with France.
Obama, accused by critics of reacting too slowly, told a news conference he believed international sanctions, an arms embargo and other measures already in place were having an impact but also said a no-fly zone remained an option.
"Across the board we are slowly tightening the noose on Gaddafi. He is more and more isolated internationally," he said. "I have not taken any options off the table."
Soon after he spoke, the U.S. Treasury Department said it had extended a freeze on assets to Gaddafi's wife, four of his sons and four senior officials in his government.
TANKS AND AIR POWER
Gaddafi's forces, with air supremacy and a big advantage in tanks, appeared to be maintaining the momentum on the ground.
The sound of explosions and small arms fire came from the oil port of Ras Lanuf on Friday as government troops landed from the sea, backed by tanks and air power.
http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/03/dtn-news-libya-uprising-europe-and-us.html
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