Clinton Urges Coalition Partners To Put Pressure On Gaddafi

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged members of the international community Tuesday to maintain diplomatic and political pressure on Muammar Gaddafi in an attempt to persuade the Libyan leader to relinquish control of his country.

“All of us have to … deepen the isolation of the Gaddafi regime,” Clinton said before a London-based conference on Libya’s future. “We cannot and must not attempt to impose our will on the people of Libya, but we can and must stand with them as they determine their own destiny. And we have to speak with one voice in support of a transition that leads to that time.”

Clinton added that these steps should also include economic measures, such as continuing the “vigorous” enforcement of sanctions authorized in the UN Security Council’s resolutions against Libya.

The Secretary’s remarks come amid an ongoing military operation in Libya aimed at enforcing a no-fly zone and protecting Libyan rebels and civilians from the Libyan government. Although the removal of Gaddafi is not part of the mission, Clinton explained Tuesday that his ouster represents a “broader” diplomatic goal.