E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSIt's only a matter of time before Libyan leader Muammar Khaddafy steps down and there will be strong German support for the country at that time, President Obama said Tuesday during a press conference with Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Germany abstained from the United Nations Security Council vote to authorize force to establish a no-fly zone and protect Libyan civilians, but both leaders played down their differences on the issue today. Obama said the NATO operation in Libya was fully integrated and that German personnel were actively involved in their NATO role. He also said the country was doing more in Afghanistan.
"Germany has stepped up and taken additional responsibilities in Afghanistan that have freed up resources for us to be able to conduct our operations in Libya," Obama told journalists assembled in the East Room. "We did discuss last night Germany's role and there is going be a lot more work to do when Khaddafy does step down in terms of getting the Libyan people back on their feet -- economic, political work that's gonna have to be done and my expectation is gonna be that there will be full and robust German support."
At the welcome ceremony on the South Lawn this morning, the two leaders spoke of the strong partnership between the United States and Germany and about working together on the mission in Afghanistan, in the fight against terrorism and nuclear proliferation -- especially in countries like Iran -- and about their support for struggle for freedom in North Africa and peace in the Middle East. The pair discussed these issues during their Oval Office meeting this morning.
"I believe this is our 10th meeting together -- that doesn't include the many phone calls, videoconferences we seem to have at all hours of the day," Obama told reporters at the press conference. "There's hardly any global issue where we don't consult one another."
On the Middle East, Obama said the two countries agreed that unilateral actions, like Palestinians seeking a vote on statehood at the UN General Assembly "should be avoided."
Last night, Obama and the chancellor dined privately in Georgetown and, tonight, the president and first lady will host a State Dinner for Merkel -- their first for a European leader.
Leave a Comment:
DON'T DO IT, Mr President! The righties already have enough foolishness to yammer about. Don't eliminate Col. Gadafi, too!!
Anyone hear whether or not President Obama gave Angela a shoulder massage ala 'W'?
On a more serious note - imagine when 2012 rolls around and the President has managed to clean up the Middle East! lmao!
Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL
Anyone hear whether or not President Obama gave Angela a shoulder massage ala 'W'?
No, but our President did exchange an intelligent plan to fight against terrorism and nuclear proliferation.
On a more serious note - imagine when 2012 rolls around and the President has managed to clean up the Middle East! lmao!
That'll be even more reason to further why he is called "No DRAMA OBAMA".
Can you imagine President Palin describing her relationship to Merkel?
"us grizzley mamas understand, we understand, you know, what it takes to run a country, her in that cold place we had a war with, well two, I think? And me, well, from that cold place up by the northstar, you know, we have alot in common and I'll be ringing the bells when she comes a'visitin'"
Amy B. Portland, ME
Can you imagine President Palin describing her relationship to Merkel?
"us grizzley mamas understand, we understand, you know, what it takes to run a country, her in that cold place we had a war with, well two, I think? And me, well, from that cold place up by the northstar, you know, we have alot in common and I'll be ringing the bells when she comes a'visitin'"
How will she explain Britain's most famous old conservative lady, former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, will not hold court for her?
Check out the headlines from the Guardian:
Margaret Thatcher to Sarah Palin: don't bother dropping by
Allies of former prime minister regard darling of Tea Party movement as a frivolous figure unworthy of an audience
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/wintour-and-watt/2011/jun/07/margaretthatcher-sarahpalin
===============================================================
Sarah needs to go sit down somewhere and stop embarrassing America.
Swamp, put down the pipe man
Just one mans opinion, but Gadafi isn't leaving Libya. He's had deluded himself into believing he can stay in power. The only way he leaves is in the same condition OBL left Pakistan.
Groucho Marx
Just one mans opinion, but Gadafi isn't leaving Libya. He's had deluded himself into believing he can stay in power. The only way he leaves is in the same condition OBL left Pakistan.
You and I seem to be on the same page today.
Gadhafi said--"We will not surrender: we only have one choice — to the end! Death, victory, it does not matter, we are not surrendering!".
http://www.boston.com/news/world/africa/articles/2011/04/14/nato_unleashes_new_libya_airstrikes/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+--+Today%27s+paper+A+to+Z
Beverly in Chicago
You and I seem to be on the same page today.
Let's not let that happen too often.
Nobody cares about Qaddafi.
Get a clue, we are beyond broke. Time to take care of business here at home. Don't waste our money and lives on a quest for a little feather in your cap. The work is right here in front of you. Be a President for a change.
It's only a matter of time until we're all dead too, and that would include "daffy", so who can argue?
The government needs to start focusing on job creation and getting the economy back on it's feet. We need to take care of our homeless instead of spending billions to be in another war. Imagine what the government could have done with the money spent so far to attack Libya. Americans should stand up and be heard! 9.1% is the unemployment not good. we are in debt,yet we keep spending more money. What is it going to take for people to rise up and sayh enough already? Are you going to wait until the cxountry is flat broke and no one has a job? Vote out the people who are not for the people! Let's get this country ack to the superpower it once was! Let your voice be heard.
Gee the party of the wealthy doesn't like to get caught with their pants down. What a bunch of elitist hypocrites.