White House defends Libya response

President Obama steps off Marine One at the White House on Wednesday after a five-day trip to Latin America. STORY HIGHLIGHTSNEW: Jay Carney insists military action in Libya will be limited in time and scopeNEW: Carney says the White House has been responsive to critics and questions Critics of Obama's Libya policy say he has been unclear on U.S. objectivesAdministration defenders say Obama needed to assemble an international coalition Washington (CNN) -- The Obama administration strongly defended its handling of the Libyan crisis Thursday, drawing a clear line between military and political objectives while dismissing criticism that it has failed to adequately consult with members of Congress.

"We are not engaged in militarily-driven regime change," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters. Instead, the administration is engaged in "time-limited, scope-limited" action with other countries to protect civilians from forces loyal to strongman Moammar Gadhafi.

American armed forces will be transitioning to a "support and assist" role in the international coalition within a matter of days, he promised. U.S. ground troops will not be sent into Libya, he stressed.

The goal of the U.N.-sanctioned military mission is strictly to prevent a humanitarian crisis. President Obama, however, has also said the administration's ultimate objective is Gadhafi's removal from power. U.S. officials have indicated they hope Gadhafi will be removed quickly by forces currently loyal to him, though they haven't publicly called for a coup.

Carney listed a series of recent meetings, hearings and briefings by top officials -- including the president -- with members of Congress on Libya. The list was produced in response to accusations by House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and others that the White House failed to properly consult with legislators before launching the Libyan mission.

View the Original article

Posted in: defends,House,Libya,response,White