Washington (CNN) -- President Barack Obama said Monday that the regime of Moammar Gadhafi in Libya "is coming to an end" and he pledged U.S. support for a democratic Libya.
In a statement to reporters from his vacation in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, Obama said the situation remained fluid on the ground in Libya, but that it was clear that "Gadhafi's rule is over."
"The situation in Libya has reached a tipping point," Obama said, adding that celebrations there show "that the pursuit of human dignity is stronger than any dictator."
Obama praised the "unprecedented" international coalition that responded to what he called Gadhafi's brutal aggression against his own people.At the same time, Obama warned of the danger of reprisals and cited the importance of conciliation, calling for an "inclusive transition that will lead to a democratic Libya." The United States would be a friend and a partner of such a government, Obama said.
As events in Libya have shown, "fear can give way to hope, and the power of people striving for freedom can bring about a brighter day," the president said.
Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters that Obama discussed the Libya situation with his National Security Council before issuing his statement to reporters.
Top U.S. officials closely monitored the Libya situation Monday, expressing concern that forces loyal to the longtime strongman might launch a last-ditch offensive against that country's civilian population.
"There is reason to believe (Gadhafi) remains in Libya" and may still be able "to issue orders" to his troops through a limited communications network, a U.S. official told CNN.
NATO authorities expressed a similar concern.
Libyan broadcaster taken into custody Pockets of Gadhafi loyalists remain Where is Moammar Gadhafi? 'We hope' to capture Gadhafi alive
"If there is a last-ditch effort we want to protect civilians," a senior NATO official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of sensitive intelligence matters.
In a statement to reporters from his vacation in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, Obama said the situation remained fluid on the ground in Libya, but that it was clear that "Gadhafi's rule is over."
Obama praised the "unprecedented" international coalition that responded to what he called Gadhafi's brutal aggression against his own people.At the same time, Obama warned of the danger of reprisals and cited the importance of conciliation, calling for an "inclusive transition that will lead to a democratic Libya." The United States would be a friend and a partner of such a government, Obama said.
As events in Libya have shown, "fear can give way to hope, and the power of people striving for freedom can bring about a brighter day," the president said.
Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters that Obama discussed the Libya situation with his National Security Council before issuing his statement to reporters.
Top U.S. officials closely monitored the Libya situation Monday, expressing concern that forces loyal to the longtime strongman might launch a last-ditch offensive against that country's civilian population.
"There is reason to believe (Gadhafi) remains in Libya" and may still be able "to issue orders" to his troops through a limited communications network, a U.S. official told CNN.
NATO authorities expressed a similar concern.
Libyan broadcaster taken into custody Pockets of Gadhafi loyalists remain Where is Moammar Gadhafi? 'We hope' to capture Gadhafi alive
"If there is a last-ditch effort we want to protect civilians," a senior NATO official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of sensitive intelligence matters.
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