The Obama Administration’s position on Libya appears to have transitioned yet again toward a more hawkish stance, and they are now said to be pressuring the United Nations to expand their Thursday vote on Libya beyond a “no-fly zone” into a full authorization for attack.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice insisted that the no-fly zone was no longer sufficient and that they wanted an authorization that would allow immediate attacks against Gadhafi’s forces on the ground, including air strikes.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, however, insisted that the attack would have to include “Arab participation” because the administration is concerned that a unilateral US attack would have “unintended consequences.”
The move comes amid recent suggestions that Russian and Chinese opposition to the no-fly zone may be fading. It remains to be seen if they will support an outright war against the Libyan regime, however.
