The Hill News

As government forces intensify their assault on cities across eastern and western Libya, the putative head of the Libya’s caretaker opposition government in Benghazi, Mustafa Abdel-Jalil, continues to plead for international assistance:  “It is our desire that friendly nations and nations that have the power to decide should come forward and assist us…I also appeal to the international community to enforce a no-fly zone over Libya…” The Obama Administration should move quickly to respond to this request and support those seeking to drive Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi from power â€" with or without UN Security Council authorization.

When tens of thousands of Libyans took to the streets just three weeks ago, bravely denouncing Gadhafi's 41-year rule, momentum appeared to be on their side. Their neighbors on both sides â€" in Tunisia and Egypt â€" had just succeeded in ousting their leaders through peaceful protests. Eastern Libya quickly fell to the oppos! ition, and it seemed it would be just a matter of days before Gadhafi would be forced to flee. But the tide has since turned. Gadhafi's brutal and bloody crackdown has succeeded in suppressing the popular uprising in Tripoli. With government forces now bombarding cities across eastern Libya, it is becoming increasingly unlikely that the opposition will be able to force Gadhafi from power by themselves. Opposition leaders have now made clear their desire for outside military intervention. 

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