mr. gaddafi, you have been known as the leader, and for years. and plenty of people in this country would say that the biggest obstacle of change for them and libya is you. >> he said that his presence actually instigated change for the people. >> in recent years you have had important western leaders like tony blair coming here. and now there are western leers leaders saying you should go. >> of course it's betrayal, they have no morals, besides if they want me to step down, what do i step down from? i am not a monarch or king. >> but you can step down even if you don't have a formal title. >> it's honor, he said, nothing to do with exercising power or authority. in britain who has the power, queen elisabeth or david cameron. he said that we didn't understand the system. >> i understand the system you have here. >> no, you don't understand. and the war, don't understand the system here. the system here. you don't understand it. >> but how do the people show their authority then? some who have gone on the street to protest said that your people h

mr. gaddafi to leave. and i have not foreclosed these options. now, i do take very seriously making sure that any decisions i make that involve u.s. military power are well thought through and are done in close consultation with secretary gates, chairman of the joints chiefs of staff, admiral mullen, and all relevant personnel. anytime i send the united states forces into a potentially hostile situation there are risks involved, and there are consequences. and it is my job as president to make sure that we have considered all of those risks. it's also important from a political perspective to as much as possible maintain the strong international coalition that we have right now. >> are you concerned that because you've imposed all of these sanctions that gaddafi feels cornered, has no other noption his -- option in his mind but to keep fighting? and in the words of your international intelligence, he have the fire power to potentially win this standoff with the rebels? >> i am concerned, absolutely. i think that's why it's so important for us not

mr. gaddafi. if he has been that way he has been that way for quite a some time.he is a thug he did not just become a thug, and the u.s. was having normalize relations. assess with me the history of the relationship we have had with this man and whether or not there is any hypocrisy in our dealings. >> you are so right. congratulations. thank you. thank you for saying this, because the hypocrisy has been so apparent for seven presidents. beginning with nixon, ford, carter, reagan, the bushes, clinton, and obama. mr. obama is an honorable man. i know he wants to do the right thing, but unfortunately he cannot because of some much internal opposition to opposing gaddafi. first of all are the oil companies. they want to see gaddafi stay in power. they get what they want and have access to whatever they want. the hypocrisy is we really cannot help libya. we cannot provide a no-fly zone. it just depends where you are. they will lead to it in africa because i hate to say this -- but it is racism. we saw hundreds of thousands of people slaughtered in africa and the europ

mr. gaddafi's and ability to listen to reason has made it necessary for us to intervene militarily. >> no doubt that will form part of the discussions to be held in london next tuesday. arab nations involved in the action against libya are expected to attend, but there is little sign any military or diplomatic pressure is having much of an effect on colonel gaddafi himself. matthew prize, bbc news, brussels. >> this is "bbc world news." here are the headlines. thousands have demonstrated in cities and towns across syria, calling for more freedom. amnesty international says that 55 have been killed in deraa within the last week. in yemen, tens of thousands take part in a peaceful demonstrations for and against the government in the capital. >> it is exactly two weeks since the earthquake in japan and the nuclear crisis remains grave according to the prime minister naoto kan. operators said water at one reactor at the fukushima nuclear plant was 10,000 times more radiation than normal, of leading to speculation that a reactor was damaged. >> under way to hospital, the workers injured at the

mr gaddafi has no official title as leader.recent years, you have had a rapprochement with western countries. you have had leaders like tony blair come here. but now leaders are queuing up to say you should go. do you feel a sense of the trail about that? -- of the trail about that. >> of course it is a trail. they have no motives. what do a step down from? i am not a monarch or king. >> you make speeches with the un and are identified with libya even if you do not have a formal title. >> it is honorary, nothing to do with exercising power or authority. in britain, who has the power? is it queen elizabeth r. david cameron? >> if he said we did not understand the libyan system. i understand the situation you have, but you are regarded as the leader. >> do not say, "i understand." you do not understand the system here. the authority of the people -- you do not understand it. >> how do the people shall their authority? some have gone on to the streets to protest and say you're people who shot of them. -- your people shot at them.

inside libya has become for attracted many arab leaders say as much even though the attitude of mr gaddafi in the arab world has always been highly complex and despite the pressure that france the u.k. are bringing to bear on the arab league we cannot say that everyone would be wildly enthusiastic to see a western invasion in libya there is yet another important aspect that arab analysts are warning about they say that mr gadhafi faced with foreign intervention will immediately become a martyr a victim in the eyes of the whole arab world in a very popular person and no one wants that to happen are you concerned by france's call for aerial of the country. in which it's a big problem how to do it from the technical military point of view nato doesn't have a clear idea about the level of training and quality of libya's air defenses let's assume that a country which begins military intervention by launching an air attack. lou several combat aircraft will be a possesses some sufficiently modern including portable anti-aircraft missile systems who will bear responsibility for the first year casu

from poland thank you you much mr gaddafi in person lots of times. from a. suit on the pearl of all political he is a very professorial to politician he sets himself a goal in me does his best to achieve it annoys how we should all go out on the one hand he's not a blinkered politician on the school makes mistakes he knows how to analyze a new situation to draw conclusions and to find a way out of what sometimes seemed totally hopeless predicament so it's not for nothing that he's been the head of libya's and spunky to fifty nine which are longer than any other leader in the world over and more for. i was going to read you said he was an achiever was they said any cost or with some meaning of any course. to always keep in mind the price that you should pay for the gadhafi occasionally went too far but it wasn't too far off and whenever you did ask you soon realize that he was going too far. as the middle east uprising spread it seems that different leaders became harsher in their response into an easier the president came out with concessions in egypt conces

i see below and thank you you much mr gaddafi in person lots of times. from a. suit a liberal normal political. politician he. does his best to achieve and knows how he should go. he's not a blinkered politician when he makes mistakes he knows how to analyze a new situation.

provinces in our country it must be said incidentally that the latest events in libya indicate that mr gaddafi is not going to surrender quickly there are loyalty problems in his armed forces in the police force but as long as the libyan army retains its positions in libya and wins victories over the libyan opposition it's a mistake to say that the collapse of the gadhafi regime is just around the corner this is why to my mind the west so far has been playing games for its own consumption they hold meetings with all sorts of people trying to invest in their powers but that has nothing to do with the agenda of stabilizing the situation in this north african country of i think no one knows today what's narea is the optimal one the problem is we don't have the facts or enough information the conflict inside libya has become protracted many arab leaders say as much even though the attitude of mr gadhafi any arab world has always been highly complex and despite the pressure that france the u.k. are bringing to bear on the arab league we cannot say that everyone would be wildly enthusiastic to see a

hello and thank you you much mr gaddafi in person lots of times what impression did you make on. sudan liberal of all political if your doctor is a very prosperous oriented politician he says himself does his best to achieve a nose how he should go about it or not on the one hand and you know the other he's not a blinkered.

mr. gaddafi, whether it was through diplomacy or anything else. we don't really know what would be the agenda or the character of the group we're helping. so, again, i really wonder about jumping in with both feet with so much uncertainty about the consequences of what it is we're doing. tavis: obviously, nothing we do today is disconnected from what we did or did not do yesterday. that is to say that there are seven presidents that have had relations, one way, shape, or form with gaddafi, oftentimes normalized relations. what do we make of the fact that he now is a tyrant as if that happened overnight, but seven presidents have dealt with the situation? how do you read that? >> i read that as this is the real world. yes, he is a tyrant, but at times he was also willing to make some decisions that we liked. he was willing to give us his weapons of mass destruction. he was willing to work against al qaeda. we deal in a world, we may not like it, where we have shades of gray. you got people who are one and the same time evil but they could also do t

thank you you much mr gaddafi in person lots of times what impression did he make a. very purpose oriented politician he. does his best to achieve and knows how we should.

hello and thank you you must mr gaddafi in person lots of times what impression did you make on you. soon a liberal of all political and laughter is a very purpose oriented politician he sets himself a goal does his best to achieve it the knowledge of how he should go. out on the one hand on the other he's not a blinkered politician when he makes mistakes he knows how to analyze a new situation to draw conclusions and to find a way out of what sometimes seemed totally hopeless predicaments so it's not for nothing that he's been the head of libya's and nine hundred sixty nine longer than any other leader of the world over thirty was going to be you said he was an achiever or was this at any cost what would some office of mean only cost in politics you always keep in mind the price that you should pay to get out of your patiently went far but it wasn't too far and whenever he did that he soon realised that he was going too far well just. as the middle east uprising spread it seems they're different leaders became harsher in their response into an easier the president came out with conc

mr. gaddafi must leave. >> as the ambassador noted, we are here to talk about iran and not cut out the. -- and not gaddafi. wish to go on to some other questions. >> chuck hagel, dimensions -- you mentioned the problem [unintelligible] you're able to turn enemies into your friends. i read an interesting book, this book, if anybody can read, it really gives you the idea what is the problem in the world. it is a fascinating book to read. it explains the situation in the market economies. >> we will need a question. >> what can be done for the differences between cultural, religion, and political, between iran and the united states? >> that could be an entire issue brief on its own. i think we have a lot of affinities with iran. anyone who is going to the country knows that americans are more popular there than anywhere else in the middle east. iran is a deeply religious country, a spiritual country, but 32 years of religious roles have made her iranians set up theocratic rule. -- 32 years of the lodge -- religious rule has made iranians sick of theocratic rule. it is absolutely primed to go

mr. gaddafi must leave. >> well, i think as the ambassador noted, we're here to talk about iran and not gaddafi. how he fit spoose the larger scope is ok, but i think we should go on to some other questions. >> ok. yes, sir. right there. >> my name is walter injure rassic. chuck hagel mentioned a very important one which is understanding the difference and we have a problem today friend, tomorrow, enemy because of misunderstanding of the difference. in order to turn of friends to -- i mean, to turn enemies to your friends. and i have a very interesting book which father of macroit. in the book, if anybody can read and give you the idea what is the problem in the war. it is a fascinating book to read explanation -- >> walter, we have many questions. we will need a question. >> is there a question? >> the question is what can be done so we can understand the differences between cultural lidge, and political, between iran and united states. >> [laughter] that could be an entire issue brief on its own. i think we have a lot of affinities with iran. that's one of the reasons i wrote a book about it.

mr. gaddafi his family or others from responsibility and accountability for what has occurred.>reporter: members of the u.n. security council continue discussing the possibility of a no-fly zone to protect libyan surveillance from government gunfire. the issue is becoming more politicized. >> could athlete killed americans he is a sociopath. he's gunning down his own people in the streets. no- fly zone it is a plausible option >>reporter: even if some countries in the u.n. security council approved the no-fly zone, any military intervention would be rejected by china and russia which have veto power. in washington, samantha hayes kron 4 news. >>catherine: in a jet to women more marching for more rights today. this is not something you ordinarily see. only a few hundred women showed up and that's because of a lot of them were afraid because of an great counter protesters. some were waiting for women and tried to shout them down. a sad ending to a missing exchange student from california. his body was pulled from the river in madrid. he see that 20 to year-old austin, he disappea

mr. gaddafi to leave. i'm not opposed to these options. now, i do take very seriously making sure that any decisions i make that involve military power are thought through and are done in close consultation with secretary gates, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, and all relevant personnel. any time i send united states forces into a potentially hostile situation, there is risk. there are consequences. it is also important from a political perspective to, as much as possible maintain the strong international coalition have right now. >> you impose all the sanctions. he thinks that there is no other option, but to keep fighting. he may have the power to potentially when the standoff with the rebels. >> i think that is why it is so important for us to continue to add additional pressure. including sending a clear message to those around gaddafi that we are paying attention and we will go to the international criminal court. part of what we want to do is to change the balance not just inside of libya, but the balance around libya and

mr. gaddafi out of power if he does not want to go? these kinds of air campaigns can go on for a long time. host: as we heard from admiral staying and, gaddafi power is a real possibility. guest: who are these folks, the rebels, exactly? in terms of objectives, you are talking from the administration's standpoint, did in, get out, and move on. host: let me have you listened to part of what's gaddafi said a couple of hours ago at 5:00 eastern time as he took aim at u.s. and western troops using force on libya. this has been primarily air strikes. here is gaddafi. >> you are the enemies. you are criminals. your people are -- everywhere in europe and in america, your people do not agree with it. the whole world, the whole people are against you. your government, your regime will go down. host: we've seen the pictures as well from libya. how is this playing out and the arab world, michael shear? guest: what has really been interesting, this assault launched on the eighth anniversary of the invasion of iraq, today. the difference, though, an

mr. gaddafi out of power if he doesn't want to go. and that's the challenge, as we have seen air campaigns to go on for a long time. >> and as we have seen, that for him to stay in power is a possibility. >> yes, and who are these folks, that's a big unknown. and in terms of objectives and at least from the obama administration standpoint, get in and out and move on. and say that we didn't let another crisis go by. >> and let us look at what he said for using forces on libya, this is primarily air strikes, this is muammar gaddafi. >> you are enemies. you are criminals, your people are against you. everywhere in europe and in america your people do not agree with it. the people are against you, your government and regime will fall down. >> we haven't seen the pictures from libya and how is this playing out in the arab world? >> what is interesting, this assault launched on something like the eighth anniversary of the invasion of iraq. >> to the day. >> to the day. the difference though and what is striking about this, there is support

mr. gaddafi out of power if does not want to go? these kinds of air campaigns can go on for a long time. host: as we heard from admiral staying and, gaddafi power is a real possibility. guest: who are these folks, the rebels, exactly? in terms of objectives, you are talking from the administration's standpoint, did in, get out, and move on. host: let me have you listened to part of what's gaddafi said a couple of hours ago at 5:00 eastern time as he took aim at u.s. and western troops using force on libya. this has been primarily air strikes. here is gaddafi. >> you are the enemies. you are criminals. your people are -- everywhere in europe and in america, your people do not agree with it. the whole world, the whole people are against you. your government, your regime will go down. host: we've seen the pictures as well from libya. how is this playing out and the arab world, michael shear? guest: what has really been interesting, this assault launched on the eighth anniversary of the invasion of iraq, today. the difference, though, an

mr. gaddafi to step down if we're only enforcing a no-fly zone and protecting civilians? this war is going to go back and forth and already you see our leaders wondering if we can be out by the end of the year and i wonder if we can be out by the end of the decade. now make no mistake about it, if libya had done something to harm us, to put our troops in danger, i would be 100% supportive but i question extending us and our troops to one more war zone. why are we fighting a war that secretary of defense, robert gates, said bear noes strategic interest to the u.s. and does not jeopardize our national security? why are we working on the side of the rebels? their own commander has stated that al qaeda members who fought our troops in iraq are now fighting mr. gaddafi. in libya we're working with the same people we're trying to kill in afghanistan. not only that, but it looks like we're arming those same troops and i worry that our armament supplies to troops in libya will show up in the fight against americans in afghanistan and iraq. as a combat veteran, i find these concer

mr. gaddafi still so far is not listening to the united nations or the international community. one, do you consider him still the president or ruler of libya? and two, how long is -- >> he is responsible for libya still. >> how long these options will go? because before you say you want to avoid a civil war before more deaths occurs in libya. >> well, again, this is something that we watch closely. it's an evolving situation, it's a dangerous situation. mr. gaddafi is responsible for what is happening in libya today, and we in the international community will hold him accountable. >> in terms of the evolving situation, i mean, at what point is it deemed a humanitarian crisis. the president said that he's considering all options, military, non-military. but if -- at what point -- i mean, people are being fired upon. in your own words, you said that gaddafi's unleashed lethal overwhelming force against his people. so at what point -- has it deteriorated to the point the u.s. feels it must be compelled to act? >> that's a question that defies an easy answer. we continue to watch t

gaddafi, mr. mubarak blaming outside forces. does the syrian government accept the will have to make substantial concessions if they talk about lifting the emergency law that has been in place for five decades? are you going to be taken -- taking those steps? >> you know what? the western governments are dictating and they are the using incitement against our people. >> the western media -- is the people on the street protesting. >> you did not allow us to talk on bbc. nobody contested what was happening. the legitimate request of people, not only -- everywhere in syria. the request of financial or political or economic -- they are being discussed. they are being addressed. it is very important decisions that have been made today by leaders of the country. and the harassment of this process is being done. >> the syrian presidential adviser speaking to zeinab badawi. french officials say that a fighter was shot down -- that a libyan fighter was shot down. it is difficult to get an accurate picture of what is going on, but we got

mr. gaddafi to leave. i'm not opposed to these options. now, i do take very seriously making sure that any decisions i make that involve military power are thought through and are done in close consultation with secretary gates, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, and all relevant personnel. any time i send united states forces into a potentially hostile situation, there is risk. there are consequences. it is also important from a political perspective to, as much as possible maintain the strong international coalition have right now. >> you impose all the sanctions. he thinks that there is no other option, but to keep fighting. he may have the power to potentially when the standoff with the rebels. >> i think that is why it is so important for us to continue to add additional pressure. including sending a clear message to those around gaddafi that we are paying attention and we will go to the international criminal court. part of what we want to do is to change the balance not just inside of libya, but the balance around libya and

mr. speaker, over three weeks ago, the people took to the streets in protest against colonel gaddafi and his regime, asking for new rights and freedoms. there were hopeful times that a better future awaited them, and my people elsewhere, they were taking their destiny into their own hands. mr. speaker, far from meeting those, he has responded by attacking his own people. on the 23rd february the un secretary general cited the reported nature and scale of attacks on civilians as "egregious violations of international and human rights law" and called on the government of libya to "meet its responsibility to protect its people." he later said that more than 1,000 people had been killed and many more injured in libya amidst credible and consistent reports of arrests, detention, and torture. over the weekend of 26t and 27 february, at britain's instigation, the un security council agreed resolution 1970. this condemned gaddafi's actions. it imposed a travel ban and assets freeze on those at the top of his regime. it demanded an end to the violence, access for international human rights monitor

gaddafi. we should never, mr. speaker, prepare to or deploy british forces lightly or without careful thought. we have, i believe, in this case given extremely careful thought to the situation that we have in hand. i think it is absolutely right that we play a leading role on the un security council to secure permission for this action, and they believe it is absolutely right that we now work with allies to make sure that resolution is brought about. i know that there will be many people in our country who will now want the questions answered about what we're doing and how we will go about it, and i intend to answer all those questions in the hours and days ahead, and to work with our brave armed services to make sure that we do the right thing for the people of libya, for the people of our country, it for the world as a whole. >> mr. speaker, can i start by thanking the prime minister for his statement? can i say from this side of the house that we welcome last night's u.n. security council resolution and support

mr. foukara how to get rid of the dictator gaddafi? the other question is, what is killing the libyans right now is the tanks, not to the mercenaries. what should be done about the tanks? host: thank you for your call. let's begin with the issue of the tanks. guest: i was confused by the question. host: the role that the tanks are playing. guest: -- host: -- guest: the role of the u.s. military has been broadly successful in the past few days. it will be interesting to see how president obama frames that tomorrow. we had an intervention that has worked. i'll be curious to see how the place where we are going from here. there will be discussion of what the u.s. role is. guest: when does dennis kucinich began the impeachment hearings? -- begin the impeachment hearings, saying that obama has overstepped his bounds? guest: kucinich has been a critic. john boehner has been very critical. even richard lugar an ally of the president and very supportive of his foreign policy, has been very critical. secretary clinton and robert gates are going

gaddafi has defied the world and his attacks on civilians go on. a plane was shot down saturday. the libyan government denied any plane had gone down. mr. before the allied attacks, gaddafi sent planes, trains tanks and troops into benghazi. scott goldberg for cbs news, new york. >>> first the earthquake and tsunami. and then the nuclear crisis. now a new source of fear in japan. radiation in the food supply. charlie d'agata has more on that and a progress report. >> reporter: fears about contamination from the crippled fukushima nuclear plant are growing after testing of spinach and milk showed elevated levels of radiation. >> the sample of these food products recorded radiation levels that is over the limit stipulated in food safety law. >> reporter: radio absentive iodine was found in tap waters afar away as tokyo. some nuclear experts say the findings are not cause for worry just yet. >> the amount of radiation, even that has been detected in the food so far in japan, while it's above normal safety limits, it poses no substantial health threat. workers keep spraying water on the most vulnerable areas of the fukushima playing for pean

mr. president. let's start with libya. you said you want to see gaddafi leave power, leave office. are you prepared to use any means necessary to make that happen? if not, why not? i know i'm in the case of some of these other uprisings, there is careful consideration not to take sides, to let the people in those countries take those decisions. so, what is the bread line? >> my first priority has to be the american citizens and embassy personnel. we got that the very next day. the day after that, we imposed sanctions and mobilize the international community so that across the board, we are slowly tightening the noose on gaddafi. he is more and more isolated internationally. in addition to that, we have implemented a host of humanitarian aid measures. we will continue to do that. and, what we have done is we have organized a series of conversations about a wide range of options the can say. everything from 24-hour surveillance so we can monitor conditions on the ground and react rapidly to further efforts with an arms embargo. nato will be meeting on tuesday. we have been in discuss

place that has created one of the most powerful international consensuses around the isolation of mr gaddafi, and we will continue to pursue those. when it comes to military action, we are doing so in support of un security resolution 1973. it's specifically talks about humanitarian efforts, and we are going to make sure that we stick to that mandate. it is also important, since we are on the topic, that i have consistently emphasized that because we are working with international partners, after the initial thrust that has disabled gadhafi's air defenses, limits his ability to threaten large populations like benghazi. there will be a transition taking place and we are one of the partners among many who will insure that the no-fly zone is enforced and that the humanitarian protection that needs to be provided continues to be in place. with respect to initiating this action while i was a broad, keep in mind that we are working on a very short timeframe. we had done all the work and it was just a matter of seeing how gaddafi would react to the warning that was issued on friday. despite words t

mr. gaddafi and apply pressure. it will be interested -- important to look at every single option that is available to us in bringing about a better outcome for the libyan people. we discussed our cooperation, and counter-terrorism efforts and i appreciate the leadership that prime minister rasmussen has shown. we work together on a wide range of issues and denmark, despite being a small country as one that has been concerned about terrorist activity. we will continue to strengthen our counter-terrorism efforts. we had a wide range of discussion on energy. it is a leader in alternative energy. the prime minister has put forth an impressive program for complete reliance on clean and alternative energies by 2050. in part because even if you do not believe in climate change and we both do, it is the right thing to do for energy independence and it is the right thing in terms of producing new jobs and new technologies. we discussed the situation in japan. i want to reiterate how heartbroken whereby the images of the dev

gaddafi. conclusion mr speaker, any decision to put the men and women of our armed services into harms' way should only ever be taken when it's absolutely necessary. we have given extremely careful thought to the situation we have in hand. i think it is absolutely right that we play a leading role on the unc to counsel to secure permission for this section and i believe that it is absolutely right that we work with allies to make sure that resolution is brought about. i intend to answer all those questions in the hours and days ahead and to work with our brave armed services to make sure we do the right thing for the people of libya, for the people of our country, and for the world as a whole. >> can i start by thanking the prime minister for his statement. can i say that, from the side of the house, we welcome the security council resolution and support britain playing its full part in international action that is planned. the international committee has shown clear result. in his statement to a half weeks ago, we support feasible action for the libyan people. it is important that the british peo

mr gaddafi is saying that he will not leave until you leave. he is still killing his own people on the ground. what i am asking is how can you take him out without putting ground forces inside libya? there is the resolution, as he said. what is the next step for you to get him out? >> thank you for the question. the coalition is not targeting gaddafi. the focus on our mission is to uphold the u.n. security resolution, which includes protecting libyan civilians and enforcing the no-fly zone. >> can you give your mission that you entered the council 1973 without ground forces? -- can you do your mission without ground forces? >> i lost you there. can you see the question again? >> can you achieve your mission of 1973 resolution without ground forces? >> our mandate now is to enforce the no-fly zone. and to allow humanitarian assistance to be available to the libyan people. >> [unintelligible] >> i am with bloomberg. can you characterize the level of the violence against the civilian population since the allied campaign began on saturday? has it i

place that has created one of the most powerful international consensuses around the isolation of mr gaddafi, and we will continue to pursue those. when it comes to military action, we are doing so in support of un security resolution 1973. it's specifically talks about humanitarian efforts, and we are going to make sure that we stick to that mandate. it is also important, since we are on the topic, that i have consistently emphasized that because we are working with international partners, after the initial thrust that has defenses,adhafi's air limits his ability to threaten large populations like been -- like benghazi.en gauz there will be a transition taking place and we are one of the partners among many who will insure that the no-fly zone is enforced and that the humanitarian protection that needs to be provided continues to be in place. with respect to initiating this action while i was a broad, keep in mind that we are working on a very short timeframe. we had done all the work and it was just a matter of seeing how gaddafi would react to the warning that was issued on friday. despit

place that has created one of the most powerful international consensuses around the isolation of mr gaddafi, and we will continue to pursue those. when it comes to military action, we are doing so in support of un security resolution 1973. it's specifically talks about humanitarian eorts, and we are going to make sure that we stick to that mandate. it is also important, since we are on the topic, that i have consistently emphasizedhat because we are working with international partners, after the initial thrust that has disabled gadhafi's air defenses, limits his ability to threaten large populations like benghazi. there will be a transition taking place and we are one of the partners among many who will insure that the no-fly zone is enforced and that the humanitarian protection that needs to be provided continues to be in place. with respect to initiating this action while i was a broad, keep in mind that we are working on a very short timeframe. we had done all the worknd it was just a matter of seeing how gaddafi would react to the warning that was issued on friday. despite words to the

mr. gaddafi, especially in regards of this supplying weapons to butcher british citizens in ireland? is the prime minister in the position to give us enough in regards to the red cross? will they be active on the ground? >> the people in northern ireland and have every right to remember the heart and the pain caused by gaddafi's funding of the ira, a wrong bet has been properly right did. on the issue of the ride -- red cross, i will ask the secretary to discuss this. >> just yesterday i was voicing my concern about the situation. potentially, our generations will wonder. i am short this is helped by the chilling words colonel gaddafi issued in his interview. as the security council been able to protect -- detect potential threats or is it anti taught by a tyrant who knows his days are numbered? >> these are chilling words about what he is planning to do to his own country at his own people. i, too, heard the reports about civilian aircraft. even aside from the un security council resolution, every country has a right under international law for self- defense that you can exercise in

we have had the feast co, we have had talk of colonel gaddafi heading to mr. speaker does the prime minister think it is just a problem with the foreign secretary or is there a wider problem with his government? >> i am not sure i want to take a lecture from labor about dealing with gaddafi. i think the first thing we should have from the labor party when it comes to libya gaddafi and the release of ma ga hi is an apology. when he comes to the issue of this government conduct, we have led the way in getting a tough u.n. resolution on libya, we have led the way in getting libya thrown out of the human rights council and we have led the way in making sure the world is preparing for every eventuality including a no fly zone. >> everybody will have heard the devening silence about the performance of the foreign secretary. and there is an issue of competence, mr. speaker, at the heart of this government. i want to turn to another example of incompetence. does the prime minister think that people will notice the loss of 12,000 front line police officers? >> first of

mr. gaddafi. and we will continue -- to those. when it comes to military action, we are in support of u.n. security council resolution 1973. that specifically talked about humanitarian efforts and we want to make sure we stick to that mandate. i think it is also important, since we are on the topic, that we consistently emphasized that because we are working with international partners, after the initial thrust that has disabled p gaddafi's air defenses, limited his ability to threaten large population centers like in gaza, that there is going to be a transition taking place where we have a range of coalition partners -- the europeans, members of the arab league -- who will then be participating in establishing a no-fly zone. so, there is going to be a transition taking place in which we are one of the partners, among many, who are going to make sure that that no-fly zone is in force and that of the units are protection continues to be in place. with respect to initiating this action while i was abroad -- keep in mind, we were wor

>> fweerngs president obama says choice is now muammar gaddafi's, stop attacking his people in labora or face an international military response. mr. obama issued that ultimatum, warning about gaddafi does not enforce an immediate cease fire the u.s. would enforce newly approved un sanctions including a no-fly zone. >> we have every reason to believe gaddafi would commit atrocities against his people. many thousands could die. a humanitarian crisis would ensue. the region could be destabilizing endangering many allies and partner ootz president says new action would not include ground forces, and yesterday, the united nations security council voted to authorize action to prevent the killing of civilians by libyan forces. gaddafi ordered a cease fire but rebels say attacks continue. >> now to japan. it's been a week since the massive magnitude 9 earthquake hit follow bid the deadly tsunami. millions reflected with a moment of silence. so far the disaster claimed 6900 lives, exceeding the death toll of the 1995 quake in kobe. crews drp dropped water working on a power line in an effort to get cooling systems up and running again z j

mr. gaddafi must leave. >> as the ambassador noted, we are here to talk about iran and not gaddafi. how he fits into the larger scope is ok. i think we should go on to some other questions. >> my name is walter. chuck hagel. you mentioned understanding the difference. today friends. tomorrow enemies. we must understand the difference. in the diplomatic corridor, there are diplomacy'sies that are able to turn in is into friends. i had an interesting book. if anybody can read and give you an idea of what the problem is in the world -- it is a fascinating book to read. it talks about a free market economy. >> is there a question? >> the question is, what can be done so we can understand the differences between culture religion, and politics between iran and the united states? >> i think i can do an entire issue brief on its own. we have a lot of affinities with iran. that is one of the reasons i wrote a book about it. americans are more popular there than they are anywhere else in the middle east or south asia because of those affinities. iran is a deeply religious country, a spiritual

mr. fleming: then he says we must go, but not gaddafi. he consults the arab league before his own congress and then telegraphs to the enemy our mission limitations, yet does not clearly define the mission or goals to the american people. then he bombs people and calls it a humanitarian act. i'm sorry, mr. speaker, i don't understand this new value system the president is asking us to accept. let me suggest instead that our president and future -- in future conflicts consult the american people and congress first, then build a coalition, then lead that coalition with a clearly defined mission, taking nothing off the table. rather than being pressured into action by other world leaders. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition? >> mr. speaker, request unanimous consent to address the house for one minute, and to revise and extend. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. thompson: thank you, mr. speaker. i rise today to congratulate penn state university on the 20th

mr. gaddafi has an apparent inability to listen to reason.t has made it necessary for us to intervene militarily. when france returned to nato, it was with the idea and hope of developing the defense capabilities of the european union. on the libyan matter, we know that virtually all of our partners want to rush the nato umbrella even though we have our own back garden, as the british would say. >> i remember france was a member of 18 of nato's committees. it joined the 19th. it is still not in the 20th. i do not think i have let go of anything by reinterpreting the command structure -- re- integrating the command structure. the major countries of the u.k. and france has led to the fact that we've launched british and french planes and others. you are very familiar with your. it rests on your two most powerful armies, mainly the french and british. who else would you want us to have as a majority partner? germany has made a choice. the choice is to stand united with europe and its european partners. germany has a history. the german sensitivi

mr. gaddafi is responsible for what is happening in libya today.d the international committee will hold him accountable. >> the president said he is considering all options, military, non-military. people are being fired upon. you said gaddafi has unleashed lethal, overwhelming force against the people. had deteriorated to the point where you must intervene? >> that is a question that defies an easy answer. we will continue to watch the situation closely. we are concerned about what is happening. as the situation evolves, we will see the options that the president has called for. we will make decisions as appropriate working collectively with the international committee and others in the middle east. >> is there a benchmark? >> we are watching and developing and we are prepared to act and respond as appropriate. >> it seems to me your government has no real plan on what is the next step to raise the pressure on him. the protesters are not making further inroads right now. >> we want to see the people of libya win. they win with the doctor's departu

. >> those of us in northern ireland will shed no tears over mr gaddafi, especially in regards to his rule over the years in supplying weapons to northern ireland. can i ask the prime minister if he is in a position to give an update in regard to the red cross? will they be active on the ground? >> first, he is absolutely right, the people of northern ireland have every right to remember the pain that has been caused by gaddafi's funding of the ira, iraq has still not been righted. >> who just yesterday i was was in my concern that the situation was potentially our generation's rwanda, and i'm glad that he and all the others who pushed through this resolution did so. i'm sure it was held by the chilling words that colonel gaddafi issued in his radio interview. has the security council been able to assess the potential threat, or is it anti hot air of a tyrant? -- empty hot air of a tyrant? >> these are chilling words about what he is planning to do to his own country, to his own people, and the fact that he must be stopped. you've heard the reported remarks about civilian aircraft. ev