Ros-Lehtinen Statement on Situation in Libya

Statement

U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement today on the situation in Libya:

"The Libyan regime's widespread attacks on the Libyan people are deplorable, and all responsible for these attacks must be held to account.

"Neither the protests sweeping Libya nor the regime's brutal crackdown should come as a surprise. This is a regime which has ruled the country with an iron fist for more than 42 years, and was for years designated as a state-sponsor of terrorism. The regime has no regard for the Libyan people or any people. It has the blood of Libyans, Americans, and other innocent people around the world on its hands.

"The United States and all responsible nations should show in both word and deed that we condemn the Libyan regime's actions and that we will not tolerate such blatant disregard for human life and basic freedoms.

"As a first step, the United States and other free democratic nations should impose economic sanctions, including freezing assets of the regime and imposing a ban on travel for all senior regime officials and their families.

"The UN must also finally end the disgrace of Libya's inclusion as a member of the Human Rights Council, and send a clear signal that Qadhafi and his cadre will be held accountable for their serial human rights violations."

NOTE: Ros-Lehtinen is a longstanding opponent of U.S. engagement with and assistance to Libya, and in September 2009 authored a letter to Secretary of State Hilary Clinton calling on the Administration to cancel an assistance package to Libya worth $2.5 million.

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