3/26/2011Pressure mounting against Qaddafi -- Obama
WASHINGTON, In his weekly address to the nation, U.S. President Barack Obama on Saturday said pressure is mounting against Libya's leader Muammar Qaddafi one week after the U.S.-led military action began.
The Libyan leader "has lost the confidence of his people and the legitimacy to rule, and the aspirations of the Libyan people must be realized," Obama said Saturday in his weekly radio and Internet address.
Obama said Libyans see that the U.S. stands "with those who hope for a future where they can determine their own destiny.
"We're succeeding in our mission," Obama added.
Obama's remarks come ahead of his planned speech to the nation Monday explaining his decision to launch attacks against Qaddafi's rule. Lawmakers from both parties have complained that the president has not sought their input or clearly explained U.S. participation in the mission.
Obama argued Saturday that the mission in Libya is clear and focused, with the U.S. and its allies and partners working together to enforce a U.N. Security Council mandate to protect the Libyan people from forces loyal to Qaddafi.
The president said that Libya's air defenses have been "taken out" and forces loyal to Qaddafi have been pushed back. A humanitarian catastrophe has also been avoided, he said.
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