Santiago: United States President Barack Obama has said that allied air operation over Libya is not aimed at removing Moammar Gadhafi from power, despite US policy that the Libyan ruler “has to go.”
He while speaking to reporters on Monday during a visit to Chile said insisted the purpose of the military mission is in response to the humanitarian threat Gadhafi poses to his people.
“There are a whole range of policies that we are putting in place that have created one of the most powerful international consensuses around the isolation of Gadhafi and we will continue to pursue those,” Obama said.
“But when it comes to the military action, we are doing so in support of UN Resolution 1973 that specifically talks about humanitarian efforts, and we are going to make sure we stick to that mandate.”
Obama’s comments echoed those of the US commander of the coalition military mission, who said aircraft enforcing a no-fly zone over Libya are there to protect civilians and not to provide air support for rebel forces.
During a briefing at the Pentagon on Monday, Gen. Carter Ham said the coalition fired 12 more cruise missiles Monday at Libyan missile, command and air defence sites. Ham added there is no direct co-ordination with the anti-Gadhafi forces.
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