US Lawmakers Respond to Latest NATO Attacks on Libya

U.S. legislators of both parties are affirming support for NATO airstrikes that reportedly killed Libyan leader Colonel Moammar Gadhafi’s youngest son and three grandchildren.

In 1986, Moammar Gadhafi survived U.S. airstrikes on Libyan military installations as well as the leader’s residence in Triploi. If current reports from Libya are accurate, Colonel Gadhafi has again survived air attacks that killed several family members.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina is applauding NATO’s actions.

"I support what NATO did," he said. "I thought this was a good use of the mandate. This is the way to end this [conflict]. Thousands of people are subject to dying, the longer this takes. No one in the world is going to regret Gadhafi being replaced, however you do it. I want to thank NATO for expanding the scope of these operations."

Graham, who spoke on the Fox News Sunday television program, was an early advocate of international support for Libyan rebels who rose up against Moammar Gadhafi earlier this year.

A Libyan government spokesman has labeled the air strikes as a deliberate assassination attempt. Senator Graham says NATO has nothing for which to apologize.

"Wherever Gadhafi goes is a legitimate military target. He is the command-and-control source [of Libyan forces], he added. "He is not the legitimate leader of Libya. In my view, he is a murderer. He is killing his own people; he is acting outside of international law. He should be brought to justice or killed."

Appearing on CBS’ Face the Nation program, Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona said he regrets any loss of innocent life in Libya, but reaffirmed his support for ousting Colonel Gadhafi.

Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Democratic Senator Kent Conrad also voiced support for ongoing NATO operations.

"Gadhafi has got to go," he said. "I have said repeatedly I think you go after the pillars of his power. And the pillars of his power are the regiments that are controlled by his sons, the mercenaries he has brought in from other countries, his money, and his tribe. I believe all of those should be targeted and aggressively gone after. You cannot allow him to continue."

Conrad acknowledged his understanding of U.S. law is that individuals are not to be targeted militarily. But he said going after Colonel Gadhafi’s military support structure is entirely legitimate, actions that could result in the death of the Libyan leader himself.

British Prime Minister David Cameron says NATO is targeting Libyan command and control units, not individuals.

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Comments (59)
01-05-2011 Janice (CANADA)

American Law makers must be a set of blood suckers ,i pray as you people voice out for continuation of killings in Libya by NATO air strike,your own families will face such demolitions soonest,Obama administration have no soul and wanted to rule the world by killing the world,just because you call yourself world power,definitely God will never spell any of you people claiming to be world powers.;o to hell..
01-05-2011 (U.S. of A)

it is about time the US has rightfully, been able to express violence against violence.
01-05-2011 OPTIONSAL (CANADA)

SUCH AN UPROAR OVER THE DEATH OF OOPNE MAN AND HIS CHILDREN, MEANWHILE HIS FAMILY MEMBERS ARE MURDERING MANY INNOCENT LIBYAN,S WITH OUT A CARE,. IF GHADAFI WANTS TO END THIS SLAUGHTER OF LIBYANS HE CAN DO SO BY SURRENDERING TO NATO AND MANDATING A TROOP WITHDRAWAL AND CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES.
01-05-2011 David Knowles (United Kingdom)

If he so desperate to get rid of Gadaffi perhaps he should go and fight with the rebels then. Also some should ask if him what he would consider a legitimate government and why he does not seem to support the Syrian, Bahrain, Saudi Arabian rables.
01-05-2011 Death

100 from each country is the price you must pay. We do not say.
01-05-2011 whudso (england)

tit for tat war crimes, nohing to gloat about
01-05-2011 naksuthin (USA)

I'm not a great supporter of this 3rd war. But I give Obama a lot of credit for turning the heavy lifting over to NATO. instead of sending American planes, pilots and troops to get bogged down in another expensive and protracted war that could drag on for years. Had we gotten NATO involved in Iraq 10 years ago we would have spared 5000 American lives and 1 Trillion dollars.
01-05-2011

It's really hard to believe that a naqtion that claims to have been so heart broken over the events of 9/11 could rain detruction on those who have done them no harm. And do it with such joy. Arabs dancing in a stret are nothing compared to the hearless rejoicing of Americans such as Lindsey Graham. God forbid he should ever suffer what he promotes for others. I hope that God is a close relative.
01-05-2011

Ask him to keep the same tone if Gaddafi kills obamas daughter ...Just becoz some western forces are carrying out the strikes doesn't legalize them to assasinate a ruler they can take him to International court which takes care of such cases like war crimes for which it punishes all non westerners like sudans bashir and gaddafi as far as Bush and Blair are concerned they are killing terrorist and if civilians are confirmed killed they are concerned (sic).
01-05-2011 Barnes (RSA)

Pliz dialogue is the best medicine.FOLLOW the MANDELA path.
01-05-2011 (Canada)

This is a war crime targeting and killing civilians in disguise of protecting the civilians. World should unite and say "NO" to this - blood for oil- war.
01-05-2011 Far North

So the American politicians are supporting the killing of children and world leaders and politicians.Is that why the USA is killing innocent children and citizens in Afganistan and Pakistans. keep in mind if it's okay for the USA to do this then it's okay for the rest of the world including Iran, North Korea, etc including buildings where innocent people work.
01-05-2011 buddy (usa)

What crime did the three grandchildren do. we as us citizens should be ashamed .OBAMA should denounce this action !!!!
01-05-2011 Adam (Uk)

Lindsey Graham, your a worthless mouth piece of the UN and those complicit in this war in Libya. This war, just like in Iraq, is based on outright lies. We are supporting a coup against the legitimate Government and it is all to do with Oil. My Government (UK) are complicit in war crimes as are the Americans and all those responsible for this disaster in Libya.
01-05-2011 Julie (USA)

Heavenly Father, please stop the evil bombing violence to Libya people and its country’s sovereign by bully USA, and NATO; may Holy Spirit upon those war maniacs and mongers of USA and NATO and change their stony hearts to flesh ones; may you, heavenly Father grant them grace to stop vanishing their human conscience and morality;(continue)
01-05-2011 stubbornlemming (USA)

U.S. contributes 66 percent of NATO’s funding. NATO is in Afghanistan. I give credit to Obama too.. for playing the PR game like no other (well..quite a few others actually)
01-05-2011

VOA is a US gov's voice. Is it legal to send its voice to US?
01-05-2011 ramandeep (india)

oil pays
01-05-2011 Ryan Vest (United States)

It's time to change this ridiculous foreign policies. End the useless wars, restore the republic. Ron Paul 2012
01-05-2011

I don't like the idea of killing children- under any circumstances- anytime
01-05-2011

NATO is the cover word for the US.
01-05-2011

We should kill the king of Saudis, another monster in Middle east, and more.
01-05-2011 Ezekiel (USA)

Vengence be mine saith the Lord
01-05-2011 erik (usa)

Does America really care about this country no... let me pose this question.. Everytime there is a state of emergency everyone looks at the us to help but why most of you dispise us. You hate us when its a convient time to do so. When america has a massive emergency we get no help or the vaugue pretenders that send 10 people on a regional size problem. Ps if you don't want America dealing with all of this world would you quit looking at us.
01-05-2011 Joseph Zrnchik, MAJ (Ret.) (U.S.)

This is war is unbridled imperialism and an object lesson on why Muslims need nuclear bombs. Day of Rage in Washington D.C. on 6/30/11 http://beforeitsnews.com/story/462/358/Day_of_Rage_Scheduled_in_Washington_D.C._for_June_30,_2011.html
01-05-2011 Dissanayake (sampath97237@yahoo.com)

Obama administration has lost credibility in the eyes of his own people. This bloody war is nakedly going beyond the 1973 UN resolution. Obama should return the Nobel Peace Prize. Or else we have to name a new Nobel prize for war crimes.