For several weeks now, conservatives and some liberals (such as John Kerry) have expressed frustration with the Obama administration over the lack of action regarding the civil war that has been taking place in Libya.
A call for a no-fly-zone has been controversial, with Defense Secretary Robert Gates saying it's not as easy as some might argue that it is (“Let’s just call a spade a spade,” Gates said two weeks ago. “A no-fly zone begins with an attack on Libya to destroy the air defenses.. That’s what you do in a no-fly zone.")
But after the Arab League voted last weekend that they want the United Nations to enforce a no-fly zone, the U.S. State and Defense Department have been pushing for a U.N. resolution to protect Libya, and there are discussions in the U.N. Security Council today, with a vote tonight.
But some worry it will be too little, too late. Today Florida freshman U.S. Senator Marco Rubio went after Undersecretary of State William J. Burns today on that lack of action. Watch and read more below:
There have been reports in recent days that when Muammar Gaddafi's government forces have made a comeback against the rebels, and that the ragtag group of exiles and other critics of the current Libyan administration are barely holding on to the areas they've seized. They want help, whether it be arms or the enforcement of a no-fly zone, but the rest of the world hasn't been there for them.
The Obama administration now seems to be energized and active, as Undersecretary of State Burns told Rubio in the tape viewed above.
Tongiht's vote on establishing a no-fly zone over Libya takes place at 6:00 p.m. To pass the Security Council, it would need to win nine votes and to avoid a veto from any of the five permanent members: the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China.
