Thaindian News

Washington, Apr.15 (ANI): United States President Barack Obama has written a joint article with his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister David Cameron, committing their countries to pursuing stronger military action against Libya.

Writing in the Washington Post, the Times and Le Figaro, the three leaders say the world would have committed an “unconscionable betrayal” if Gaddafi is left in place, putting rebels who have been fighting against the Gaddafi regime at the mercy of his government, and adding that Libya risks becoming a failed state.

Obama, Sarkozy and Cameron have called on Gaddafi to “go and go for good”, rejecting demands for an immediate ceasefire and a negotiated exit for the Libyan dictator, The Washington Post reports.

The three leaders acknowledge the legal constrictions laid down by the United Nations mandate, but suggest they must overcome them.

“Our duty and our mandate under UN Security Council Resolution 1973 is to protect civilians, and we are doing that. It is not to remove Gaddafi by force. But it is impossible to imagine a future for Libya with Gaddafi in power, they wrote.

The leaders also said: ” The international criminal court is rightly investigating the crimes committed against civilians and the grievous violations of international law. It is unthinkable that someone who has tried to massacre his own people can play a part in their future government.”

They also said that as long as Gaddafi remains in power, NATO and its allies must maintain their operations so that civilians remain protected and pressure on the Gaddafi regime builds.

“Britain, France and the United States will not rest until the UN Security Council resolutions have been implemented and the Libyan people can choose their own future,” they said.
The Times reported in its publication that the article originally began as collaboration between Cameron and Sarkozy. A draft was sent to the White House as a courtesy, prompting a request from Obama to add his name. (ANI)