Obama Live Blog

Statement by President Barack Obama on the Declaration of Liberation in Libya:

On behalf of the American people, I congratulate the people of Libya on today’s historic declaration of liberation. After four decades of brutal dictatorship and eight months of deadly conflict, the Libyan people can now celebrate their freedom and the beginning of a new era of promise.  

Now that the fighting in Libya has reached an end, the Transitional National Council (TNC) must turn its attention to the political transition ahead.  We look forward to working with the TNC and an empowered transitional government as they prepare for the country’s first free and fair elections. The Libyan authorities should also continue living up to their commitments to respect human rights, begin a national reconciliation process, secure weapons and dangerous materials, and bring together armed groups under a unified civilian leadership.  As they take these steps, the United States will continue our close cooperation with our international partners and the UN Support Mission in Libya to help advance a stable, democratic transition. 

A selection of quotes from Obama's news conference at the White House:

This marks the end of a long and painful chapter for the people of Libya who now have the opportunity to determine their own destiny in a new and democratic Libya.

"Just one year ago, the notion of a free Libya seemed impossible, but then the Libyan people rose up and demanded their rights.

"This is a momentous day in the history of Libya, the dark shadow of tyranny has been lifted.

"Across the Arab world, citizens have stood up to claim their rights. Youth are delivering a powerful rebuke to dictatorship. And those leaders who try to deny their dignity will not succeed.

"For the region, today's events prove once more that the rule of an iron fist inevitably comes to an end."

 

US President Barack Obama has called on the UN Security Council to sanction Syria for using deadly violence against civilians protesting against the Syrian government.

In an address on Wednesday to the UN General Assembly, Obama said: "There is no excuse for inaction."

Obama said the Us and many of its allies have joined to punish Syria. But he said the world must speak with one voice on this issue.

The Decade of 9/11: war without end - By Mark Weisbrot

The wars that have defined the last decade, better represent the actions of an Empire not a Republic, says scholar. You can read this opinion piece here.