White House Increases Pressure on Gaddafi

The White House announced Thursday a new plan to oust Libya’s embattled leader, Col. Muammar Gaddafi, but still stopped short of committing military to the region. This response contradicts President Obama’s chief intelligence officer’s comments earlier Thursday about Gaddafi, saying that, “over the longer term … the regime will prevail.” The White House has a five-point plan to isolate Gaddafi—including partially embracing the rebels as well as making threats to track and prosecute Gaddafi’s army for war crimes. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she will meet with Libyan opposition leaders next week as well. Meanwhile, NATO deferred their decision about sending forces in until at least next week. European leaders have also been mixed about how to react.