Obama sends U.S. aircraft for Libyan airlift

[SpartanDem]

Source: AP

(Reuters) - President Barack Obama said on Thursday U.S. military aircraft will help move refugees from the Libyan border, as he called on leader Muammar Gaddafi to leave and demanded an end to violence against the Libyan people.

The United States and countries around the world are outraged by Gaddafi's crackdown in Libya, Obama said.

"We will continue to send a clear message: The violence must stop. Muammar Gaddafi has lost the legitimacy to lead and he must leave," Obama said at a news conference with Mexican President Felipe Calderon.

Obama has called on Gaddafi to leave the oil-producing North African country in written statements issued by the White House, but this was the first time he had said so in public. He also issued a warning to any of Gaddafi's officials found to have been promoting attacks on Libyan citizens.


Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/03/us-libya-usa-idUSTRE7226FG20110303

[Turborama]

1. Xinhua: U.S. military to airlift Egyptians from Libya-Tunisia border

WASHINGTON, March 3 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama announced Thursday he has authorized the use of U.S. military aircraft to help Egyptians, who have fled to the border between Libya and Tunisia, to get them back home.

Speaking from the White House, Obama said the United States commended the governments of Tunisia and Egypt for their response, "even as they go through their own political transitions," to the people fleeing Libya.

Obama also said he has authorized the U.S. Agency for International Development to charter additional civilian aircraft to help people fleeing Libya return home.

"We're supporting the efforts of international organizations to evacuate people as well," Obama said. "I've also directed USAID to send humanitarian assistance teams to the Libyan border, so that they can work with the United Nations and other international partners inside Libya to address the urgent needs of the Libyan people."

More: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-03/04/c_13760188.htm