The Hill News

President Obama's U.S.-led NATO mission in Libya will make "critical contributions" to the country after Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi is overthrown, Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) tweeted.

"Very near victory, God Willing, belongs to Libyan people, but Obama's America led NATO to make critical contributions. Thanks Obama!" Ellison wrote Tuesday.

As Libyan rebels overtake Libya's capital, a number of Republicans have celebrated the end of Gadhafi's regime, though without lavishing much (if any) praise on the Obama administration's contribution.

On Sunday, Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) criticized U.S. leadership for not toppling Gadhafi's regime quickly enough.

"We regret that this success was so long in coming due to the failure of! the United States to employ the full weight of our airpower," they wrote in a statement.