Washington Anticipates Gadhafi’s Exit

As the rebel siege on Tripoli continues, Washington has begun to discuss the country’s post-Gaddafi future.

In a statement Sunday night, President Barack Obama cast Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi’s exit as inevitable.

“The momentum against the Gadhafi regime has reached a tipping point,” Obama said. “Tripoli is slipping from the grasp of a tyrant.”

Obama urged the Transitional National Council, the internationally recognized body tasked with crafting the country’s new government, to ensure that Libya’s shift to a Democratic system is inclusive.

During an appearance Sunday on CBS’ Face the Nation, Sen. John McCain (R-Ohio), the Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, predicted that the transition will pose a “big challenge.”

“We’ve seen the difficulties with other countries that made this transition,” McCain said. “There’s tribal rivalries from a long time ago. They’ve never known democracy … I think they can succeed but our European friends and we are going to have to help out a lot.”