Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Howard L. Berman, Ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement after participating with other Congressional and relevant Committee leaders in a briefing on Libya by President Obama, Secretary of State Clinton, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Admiral Mullen, AFRICOM commander General Carter Ham, and other senior officials.

“President Obama’s decision to help form an international coalition to stop the Libyan government from killing its own citizens and prevent this situation from having a destabilizing impact on neighboring countries was both right and smart. We already know that this mission has saved tens of thousands, if not more, civilian lives. It is critical that the region’s leaders see that Qadhafi’s policy of indiscriminate murder carries a heavy price-tag.

“I appreciate the President's update to Congressional leadership today that covered the transition of the Libya mission to NATO command, our ongoing assessment of the Libyan rebels and their transitional government, and other related topics. I look forward to continuing to work with the Administration to make certain our operations in Libya successfully accomplish our humanitarian mission and promote the national security interests of the United States."

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