Part Two in the Three Part Series on Libya: President Obama's Words to America

The events Libya have drawn the attention of the rest of the world. On Monday evening, President Obama addressed the American public with an update on the planned role of the United States in the situation.

President Obama primary reason for American involvement in Libya was the sense of duty that the United States should feel in this type of situation. In the copy of his speech released by the [White House]( http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/03/28/remarks-president-address-nation-libya), President Obama says, “For generations, the United States of America has played a unique role as an anchor of global security and as an advocate for human freedom…But when our interests and values are at stake, we have a responsibility to act”. President Obama explained that the situation in Libya, as a result of the “brutal repression and a looming humanitarian crisis”, it was the United States duty to take action. He also mentioned the strategic consequences of preventing Qaddafi from succeeding, explaining that allowing the massacre to occur would have caused a flood of refuges into unstable Egypt and Tunisia. Military force and dictatorship would have spread across the region.

President Obama noted that the United States was not alone in its actions. It united with traditional close allies such as Canada, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Spain, as well as Arab nations including Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to address the situation, taking actions including establishing a no-fly zone, protecting the city of Benghazi, etc.

After citing the accomplishments of the United States thus far, Obama discussed the future of American involvement. He restated his commitment to keeping the American role “limited”, specifically citing the promise not to send ground troops to Libya and to share the responsibility of the program with other nations. He explained that on Wednesday NATO will take over the enforcement of the arms embargo and the no-fly zone. However, the United States will be active in the situation, helping the NATO programs and providing monetary support for the people of Libya.

Obama also acknowledged that the United States cannot afford to repeat the Iraq situation with Libya. While the United States reduces its military involvement, President Obama beseeched the American public to continue to support the Libyan people.

Obama closed with a restatement of the duty of Americans to defend the values and principles of the United States.

Image courtesy of [Steely](http://sha3teely.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/barack_obama.jpg)