US says Qaddafi must go, as action against Libya quickens

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Monday made it crystal clear: The United States says Muammar Qaddafi must go.

Speaking at the United Nations’ Human Rights Council in Geneva, Secretary Clinton said the Libyan leader’s violence against his own people meant that he must depart his office “now, without further violence or delay.” And the US is keeping “all options on the table,” she added, to protect Libya’s civilian population and to encourage a transition to a legitimate government.

Clinton’s words came as global pressure on the Qaddafi government continued to mount, with the European Union formally adopting sanctions against the regime Monday and global powers discussing establishment of a no-fly zone to protect Libyan civilians from any renewed bombardments.

The US is already repositioning forces already in the African region in the event a no-fly zone is adopted, the Pentagon said Monday.

An international investigation of Qaddafi’s alleged crimes against humanity was also moving forward, with the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Luis Moreno-Ocampo, announcing that a preliminary investigation began Monday. The initial inquiry will lead to a decision within a matter of days whether the ICC launches a formal investigation into the Libyan regime’s actions since Feb. 15, Mr. Moreno-Ocampo says.

At the White House, spokesman Jay Carney told reporters Monday that “exile” is one option for Colonel Qaddafi to consider to spare his country further hardship and to meet international demands.

The accelerated pace of action against Libya stands in stark contrast to the international community’s reputation for sluggish and extremely cautious proceedings in such cases – especially at the UN. But UN diplomats and analysts say they could not recall a recent case where the international body and its various institutions acted so quickly.

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