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25May11
US violating War Powers Act in Libya
The US military’s involvement in NATO attacks on Libya beyond May 20 has “no legal basis” since it is not authorized by Congress, international lawyer Paul Wolf says, APA reports quoting Press TV.
The War Powers Resolution passed by the US Congress in 1973 “gives the [US] president the power to use the US military for up to 60 days without seeking… congressional authorization. The problem is that, just a couple of days ago, that 60-day time period expired, so now there is no legal basis for the use of the US military in Libya,” Wolf told Press TV.
“It is quite surprising that [US] President [Barack] Obama has not gone to Congress and asked for this authorization, because chances are he would probably get it,” he added.
NATO launched a major air campaign against the forces of the Libyan regime in mid-March under a UN mandate to “protect the Libyan population.”
The United States, France, and Britain say they will not stop their military operation until Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi is removed from power.
The Western coalition airstrikes have claimed the lives of scores of civilians so far.
Libyan revolutionary forces have also frequently criticized NATO for its failure to prevent Gaddafi’s troops from killing civilians.
A revolution against Gaddafi began in Libya in mid-February.
[Source: APA, Baku, 25May11]
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