AhlulBayt News Agency

source : Reuters
Wednesday

9 March 2011

8:30:00 PM
230595

US defends silence on Libyan massacre

A White House spokesman has defended Washington's late response to the bloody crackdown on anti-government protesters and revolutionary forces in Libya.

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - "There has never been a situation where the international community, with leadership by the United States, has acted as quickly as it has to respond to this kind of situation," White House spokesman Jay Carney said Wednesday, dismissing suggestions that Washington had failed to act with sufficient urgency.

The spokesperson further added that there will be no immediate change in the US strategy regarding the crisis-hit Libya.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, CIA Director Leon Panetta, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, attended Wednesday's meeting, but it was not expected to lead to any immediate change in the US strategy, Carney noted.

Earlier, Clinton said Washington will not act on a no-fly zone over Libya without a United Nations' mandate.

The United States is under fire for what has been described as its failure to help Libyan anti-government protesters.

Media reports say US-led Western countries have failed to properly respond to the ongoing massacre committed by forces loyal to Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi.

An earlier report said the counteroffensive launched by the Gaddafi regime against revolutionary forces is increasing pressure on the West to help stop the fighting in the North African country.

Several Western countries have been accused of turning a blind eye to the deadly crackdown in Libya in an attempt to protect their own economic interests.

Libya currently provides about 20 percent of Italy's oil imports. It has developed cordial relations with Britain, France and the United States as well.

The criticism comes as heavy battles continue between anti-government forces and regime troops in various parts of the country.

The latest reports say more than 6,000 people have been killed in troubled Libya since the beginning of a bloody crackdown on anti-government protesters on February 17. According to the UN, more than 215,000 Libyans have fled the unrest in the North African country.

Meanwhile, the regime of the long-time ruler Gaddafi has stepped up its diplomatic efforts.

A Gaddafi delegation has met with EU officials in Brussels and plans are underway to hold talks with NATO officials.

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