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    June 29, 2011

Obama Defends US Involvement in Libyan Conflict

   VOA News
   President Barack Obama gestures during a news conference in the East
   Room of the White House in Washington, June 29, 2011.
   Photo: AP
   President Barack Obama gestures during a news conference in the East
   Room of the White House in Washington, June 29, 2011.

   President Obama has defended U.S. involvement in Libya, saying the
   international operation has protected thousands of people in the North
   African country.
   Obama said he did not violate the War Powers Resolution, a U.S. law
   that requires congressional approval within 60 days if U.S. forces are
   involved in hostilities.
   He said Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi was threatening to massacre his
   people, and the United States, as part of an international coalition,
   took out Libyan air defense systems so humanitarian assistance could be
   provided. He said pressure is increasing on the Libyan leader, or as he
   put it, "the noose is tightening."
   He said he addressed the American people on Libya and briefed members
   of Congress and has done "exactly" what he said he would. He said the
   operation is limited in time and scope, and there have been no U.S.
   causalities and no risk of additional escalation.
   He said the narrow mission has been carried out in "exemplary fashion."
   But he said questioning whether he needs congressional approval for the
   mission has become a popular topic among some lawmakers.
   Meanwhile, Obama has called on Congress to take action that he says
   would strengthen the economy and help Americans who are struggling
   financially.
   President Obama said the nation's economic problems will not be solved
   immediately. He said Americans are still looking for work, or seeking
   better-paying jobs or ways to pay their bills.
   He said Congress can send him a bill that would make it easier for
   entrepreneurs to patent a new idea, and approve trade agreements that
   he said would support "tens of thousands" of American jobs. He said he
   wanted to continue tax cuts for the middle class, but eliminate some
   tax breaks for richer Americans in order to raise government revenue.
   Obama says any agreement to reduce the nation's deficit is going to
   require "tough decisions," including decisions on what he called
   "spending in the tax code" by eliminating some tax benefits for the
   wealthy.
   The president called reducing the deficit one of the most important and
   urgent things the U.S. government can do for the economy.
   He said he believes Republicans and Democrats can bridge their
   differences and reach a deal that will require the government to live
   within its means.
   He urged lawmakers to "seize this moment and seize it soon," saying
   that nobody wants to put the creditworthiness of the U.S. in jeopardy
   or see the U.S. default on its government debt, which officials have
   warned may happen if Congress does not raise the government's debt
   limit.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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