US President Barack Obama on Wednesday admitted the “inherent limitations” of NATO’s strategy of using air power but no ground troops in Libya, but said building pressure would still oust Moamer Gaddafi.
On the second day of a state visit to Britain, Obama also delivered his strongest warning yet to the Palestinians that their evolving plan to seek UN recognition was a “mistake.” With Obama facing criticism in Europe over his decision to limit US forces to a support role in Libya, as his hosts Britain and France apply the muscle, the president nevertheless said the operation remained on track. “Once you rule out ground forces, then there are going to be some inherent limitations to our air strike operations,” Obama said during an open-air news conference with British Prime Minister David Cameron.
“It means that the opposition on the ground in Libya is going to have to carry out its responsibilities,” Obama said, while cautioning that he would not impose a timeline on the length of the NATO operation.
“Ultimately, this is going to be a slow, steady process in which we are able to wear down the regime forces and change the political calculations of the Gaddafi regime, where they realize they are not going to control this country.
“I believe that we have built enough momentum that as long as we sustain the course that we are on, that he is ultimately going to step down,” Obama said. Cameron, one of the most vocal supporters of the foreign intervention to protect Libyan civilians, also called for patience, as both leaders kept perceived differences over the pace of operations out of the public eye.
