The Tipping Point Speech

Libya at ‘tipping point’ – Obama from Vineyard Haven

At the height of the revolution in Libya President Obama received periodic updates on the quickly changing situation while he was playing golf at Martha's Vineyard.

At a crucial junction in the battle he took time from his vacation to issue a statement.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/08/22/statement-president-barack-obama-libya

August 22 2011 at 08:33 am

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release August 22, 2011
Statement of President Barack Obama on Libya

Tonight, the momentum against the Qadhafi regime has reached a tipping point. Tripoli is slipping from the grasp of a tyrant. The Qadhafi regime is showing signs of collapsing. The people of Libya are showing that the universal pursuit of dignity and freedom is far stronger than the iron fist of a dictator.

The surest way for the bloodshed to end is simple: Moammar Qadhafi and his regime need to recognize that their rule has come to an end. Qadhafi needs to acknowledge the reality that he no longer controls Libya. He needs to relinquish power once and for all.

Meanwhile, the United States has recognized the Transitional National Council as the legitimate governing authority in Libya. At this pivotal and historic time, the TNC should continue to demonstrate the leadership that is necessary to steer the country through a transition by respecting the rights of the people of Libya, avoiding civilian casualties, protecting the institutions of the Libyan state, and pursuing a transition to democracy that is just and inclusive for all of the people of Libya. A season of conflict must lead to one of peace.

The future of Libya is now in the hands of the Libyan people. Going forward, the United States will continue to stay in close coordination with the TNC. We will continue to insist that the basic rights of the Libyan people are respected. And we will continue to work with our allies and partners in the international community to protect the people of Libya, and to support a peaceful transition to democracy.


Stephen Collinson

Vineyard Haven - US President Barack Obama said as momentous scenes unfolded in Tripoli on Sunday that Muammar Gaddafi's regime had reached a “tipping point” and the Libyan “tyrant” must leave now to avoid further bloodshed.

In a written statement, Obama also looked to the post-Gaddafi era, calling on Libyan rebels who have surged into Tripoli to respect human rights.

He called on opposition forces to show leadership, preserve the institutions of the Libyan state and move towards democracy.

“Tonight, the momentum against the Gaddafi regime has reached a tipping point. Tripoli is slipping from the grasp of a tyrant,” Obama said in a statement issued as he took a vacation on the resort of Martha's Vineyard.

“The Gaddafi regime is showing signs of collapsing. The people of Libya are showing that the universal pursuit of dignity and freedom is far stronger than the iron fist of a dictator.”

Obama said the surest way for bloodshed to end in Libya was simple: “Muammar Gaddafi and his regime need to recognise that their rule has come to an end.”

“Gaddafi needs to acknowledge the reality that he no longer controls Libya. He needs to relinquish power once and for all.”

Obama also noted that the United States has recognised the opposition Transitional National Council as Libya's legitimate governing authority.

“At this pivotal and historic time, the TNC should continue to demonstrate the leadership that is necessary to steer the country through a transition by respecting the rights of the people of Libya.”

He called on the rebels to avoid civilian casualties, protect the institutions of the Libyan state, and pursue a transition to democracy that is “just and inclusive for all of the people of Libya.”

In Washington, more than 100 people gathered in front of the White House, chanting: “USA, USA - Gaddafi has gone today” or “Gaddafi left Tripoli, Libya is free”.

The whereabouts of the Libyan leader, who has ruled for over four decades were unclear however.

Obama, who is trying to ride out one of the toughest patches of his presidency, has faced stern criticism in the United States about his handling of the Libya crisis.

Initially, he committed the full force of US firepower to the conflict, on the basis of a UN resolution authorising the protection of civilians.

But the US leader, wary of miring US forces in a third war in a Muslim nation, made clear that America's Nato allies like France and Britain would conduct most of the frontline conflict, though US forces took a support role.

There was also an intense debate in Washington about whether Obama had sufficient constitutional authority to commit US forces to the war without the prior authorisation of Congress.

Other more hawkish commentators faulted the president for not sufficiently deploying US power, especially after an anonymous official was quoted by the New Yorker magazine as saying the administration was “leading from behind”. - Sapa-AFP

Obama: Kadhafi regime comes to end
Aug 22 05:54 AM US/Eastern

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.1ffa5725145b1f21b1207d603659c6b8.461&show_article=1

US President Barack Obama said that Moamer Kadhafi's regime had come to an end and the Libyan "tyrant" must leave now to avoid further bloodshed.

In a written statement late Sunday, Obama also looked to the post-Kadhafi era, calling on Libyan rebels who have surged into Tripoli to respect human rights.

He called on opposition forces to show leadership, preserve the institutions of the Libyan state and move towards democracy.

"Tonight, the momentum against the Kadhafi regime has reached a tipping point. Tripoli is slipping from the grasp of a tyrant," Obama said in a statement issued as he took a vacation on the resort of Martha's Vineyard.

"Moamer Kadhafi and his regime need to recognize that their rule has come to an end," the presidnet said. "The people of Libya are showing that the universal pursuit of dignity and freedom is far stronger than the iron fist of a dictator."

Obama said the surest way for bloodshed to end in Libya was simple: "Moamer Kadhafi and his regime need to recognize that their rule has come to an end."

"Kadhafi needs to acknowledge the reality that he no longer controls Libya. He needs to relinquish power once and for all."

Obama also noted that the United States has recognized the opposition Transitional National Council as Libya's legitimate governing authority.

"At this pivotal and historic time, the TNC should continue to demonstrate the leadership that is necessary to steer the country through a transition by respecting the rights of the people of Libya."

He called on the rebels to avoid civilian casualties, protect the institutions of the Libyan state, and pursue a transition to democracy that is "just and inclusive for all of the people of Libya."

In Washington, more than 100 people gathered in front of the White House, chanting: "USA, USA -- Kadhafi has gone today" or "Kadhafi left Tripoli, Libya is free".

The whearabouts of the Libyan leader, who has ruled for over four decades were unclear however.

Obama, who is trying to ride out one of the toughest patches of his presidency, has faced stern criticism in the United States about his handling of the Libya crisis.

Initially, he committed the full force of US firepower to the conflict, on the basis of a UN resolution authorizing the protection of civilians.

But the US leader, wary of miring US forces in a third war in a Muslim nation,made clear that America's NATO allies like France and Britain would conduct most of the frontline conflict, though US forces took a support role.

There was also an intense debate in Washington about whether Obama had sufficient constitutional authority to commit US forces to the war without the prior authorization of Congress.

Other more hawkish commentators faulted the president for not sufficiently deploying US power, especially after an anonymous official was quoted by theNew Yorker magazine as saying the administration was "leading from behind."

But The New York Times reported Monday that intensified US aerial activity in and around Tripoli may have helped tilt the balance of power toward rebels seeking to oust Kadhafi.
Citing unnamed officials, the newspaper said that in recent days, the United States established around-the-clock surveillance over the dwindling areas that Libyan military forces still controlled, using armed Predator drones to detect, track and occasionally fire at those forces.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release August 23, 2011
Readout of the President's Call with President Sarkozy of France

The President and French President Sarkozy spoke today about the situation in Libya and continued theirclose consultations about the global economic situation and recent developments in financial markets. With regard to Libya, they agreed that Qadhafi and the remnants of his regime needed to accept that their time is up and relinquish power once and for all, and they welcomed the progress that has been made by the Libyan people in pursuing an end to the Qadhafi regime. At the same time, they agreed to continue to work with allies and partners in the international community to protect the people of Libya and to support a peaceful transition to democracy. President Sarkozy joined the President in urging the Transitional National Council to continue demonstrating its leadership by respecting the rights of the people of Libya, avoiding civilian casualties, protecting the institutions of the Libyan state, and pursuing a transition to democracy that is just and inclusive for all of the people of Libya.

The two Presidents also discussed the global economic situation, the Eurozone crisis and recent market developments. They agreed on the importance of concerted action, including through the G20, to address these challenges and to spur growth and job creation in the global economy.