Clinton Says It Is Time For Gadhafi To Go

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, must be held accountable for the bloodletting and acts of violence against unarmed civilians. In an address to the 47-member U.N. Human Rights Council, Clinton accused Mr. Gadhafi and his followers of using mercenaries and thugs to attack unarmed civilians.

Secretary of State Clinton held a series of discussions with friends and allies. She told journalists here in Geneva the talks were aimed at holding the Libyan leader and his regime accountable for their human rights abuses and violence against their own people.

She said there has been a remarkable international response to support the Libyan people as they pursue their transition to democracy. “The international community has been speaking with one voice, saying very clearly that Colonel Gadhafi's brutal attacks on his own people are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Gadhafi has lost the legitimacy to govern and it is time for him to go without further violence or delay," she said.

A succession of foreign ministers attending the high level meeting of the Human Rights Council called for an end to the violence in Libya. They expressed their dismay and condemnation of the brutal tactics employed by Mr. Gadhafi and his cohorts. And, they agreed that the Libyan leader should leave.

Clinton said there are a number of actions governments can take to further isolate Colonel Gadhafi. For instance, she said a no-fly zone is one of the options Washington is considering. She said she discussed this with allies and partners.