Gaddafi's forces set for Benghazi, AL mulls 'no-fly' zone

In his first indication of a US tilt towards Libyan rebels, Obama said he would appoint an envoy to Libyan opposition forces as part of efforts to "change" the balance of the military situation in the war-torn country.

Expressing concern over Gaddafi targeting civilians, the US president said: "I''m concerned. Gaddafi has stash of weapons and some troops that remain loyal to him and there have been reports that he''s also been hiring mercenaries."

The President did not disclosed whether the US and its allies would go ahead to arm the rebels as has been demanded by the Libyan opposition leaders.

"We have determined that it''s appropriate for us to assign a representative to interact with the opposition and determine ways that we can further help them," Obama said in Washington.
Secretary of State Hillay Clinton on Monday will meet rebel representative in Paris, Mahmoud Jibril, the head of foreign affairs in the National Council.

Hours later the US slapped sanctions against Gaddafi''s wife, children and his closest advisers.

As pro-Gaddafi forces continued their assault on rebels in Libya, top US Senators have asked the Obama administration to take "meaningful actions" against the country''s regime before it is too late, including through imposition of a no-fly zone and recognition of the opposition National Council.

The US should take actions like "the imposition of a no fly zone, recognition of the Transitional National Council as the legitimate government of Libya, and provide assistance to them that will help them prevail in their fight against (Muammar) Gaddafi," Senators John McCain and Joe Lieberman, said in a joint statement.

Mustafa Abdul-Jalil, the head of the opposition''s interim governing council, warned of "catastrophe in Libya " if the US and other Western nations fail to act.

"If there is no no-fly zone imposed on Gadhafi''s regime, and if his ships are not checked then we will have a catastrophe in Libya," Abdul-Jalil was quoted as saying in the media.

He also ruled out the possibility on any kind of a deal with Gadhafi to ease him out and resolve the crisis.

Meanwhile, stung by the recognition accorded to the Libyan opposition, the Gaddafi regime decided to "suspend" diplomatic relations with France.