The Hill News

Libyan leader Moammar Qadhafi must step down "now," President Obama said Saturday in a call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Obama told the German leader that it's come time for Qadhafi to go, according to a White House readout of the call. 

"The president stated that when a leader’s only means of staying in power is to use mass violence against his own people, he has lost the legitimacy to rule and needs to do what is right for his country by leaving now," the White House said.

Obama spoke to Merkel a day after imposing major sanctions against Libya and Qadhafi, who's cracked down on anti-government protesters over the past week.

Obama's concern that Qadhafi might "use mass violence against his own people" to keep control of power is a possible reference to concerns that Libya remains in control of some weapons of mass destruction that it would turn against its own people.

"They discussed appropriate and effective w! ays for the international community to respond," the White House readout said. "The president welcomed ongoing efforts by our allies and partners, including at the United Nations and by the European Union, to develop and implement strong measures."

As with the revolution in Egypt, Obama's been frequently consulting with world leaders, Merkel being one of his closest allies in Europe.