Obama Warns Libyan Government That Violence Is “Unacceptable”

Speaking from the Oval Office Monday, President Barack Obama reiterated the United States’ opposition to Libyan despot Muammar Gaddafi’s ongoing use of force to curb unrest in his country.

“The violence that’s been taking place and perpetrated by the government in Libya is unacceptable,” Obama told reporters during an appearance with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gallard. “I want to send a very clear message to those who are around Colonel Gaddafi:  It is their choice to make how they operate moving forward, and they will be held accountable.”

Obama emphasized that NATO could still pursue any number of options in response to Gaddafi, including force.

The President announced that the U.S. will be sending aid organizations on the ground in Libya an additional $15 million to help confront the humanitarian crisis that has emerged along the country’s borders.

On Friday, the U.S. delivered 6 pallets of humanitarian supplies to Tunisia to help refugees who entered the country from Libya.