Obama told to explain Libya mission

The leader of the US House of Representatives, Speaker John Boehner, urged President Barack Obama to explain the legal grounds for the continued US military involvement in Libya and set a Friday deadline for the commander in chief’s response.

Ratcheting up the pressure, the Republican said in a letter to the White House that the administration clearly will be in violation of the 1973 War Powers Act this weekend.

Mr Obama did not seek congressional consent for the operation within 60 days of the March 19 US airstrikes against Muammar Gaddafi’s forces.

“Either you have concluded the War Powers Resolution does not apply to the mission in Libya or you have determined the War Powers Resolution is contrary to the Constitution,” Mr Boehner wrote.

“The House and the American people whom we represent deserve to know the determination you have made.”

Mr Boehner complained that the administration has provided briefings for politicians but has not sought formal authorisation.

Seeking an explanation, he asked Mr Obama for answers to constitutional and statutory questions by Friday.

Earlier this month, the House voted to rebuke Mr Obama for failing to pursue congressional approval and accused the president of not providing a “compelling rationale” for the Libyan operation.

The House measure also required a report from the administration, due by Friday, on the scope of the Libyan operation, its costs and its impact on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“The ongoing, deeply divisive debate originated with a lack of genuine consultation prior to commencement of operations and has been further exacerbated by the lack of visibility and leadership from you and your administration,” Mr Boehner wrote.

The White House maintains that it has been in compliance with the War Powers Act and has called the resolutions unhelpful and unnecessary.

Initially the White House brushed off the non-binding House measure, saying it had provided answers at various briefings. But last week it said it will respond to detailed questions on the US mission in Libya within the deadline.

Nato commands the operation, but the United States still plays a significant support role that includes aerial refuelling of warplanes and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance work.

In the Senate, the fate of a resolution signalling support for the operation was in limbo.

Senator John Kerry, a Democrat and chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, said plans for the panel to meet tomorrow and write a resolution would be delayed to allow politicians to review the White House report. He left open the possibility of action on a resolution next week.

“We just want everybody to see the information and see how it impacts their thinking,” Mr Kerry said.

Among the backers of the resolution is Senator John McCain, a leading proponent of military action against Gaddafi, the top Republican on the Armed Services Committee and Mr Obama’s presidential rival in the 2008 election. Mr McCain warned his party colleagues against any steps that would send a positive signal to Gaddafi.

“I caution my friends, both here in the Senate and in the House of Representatives, that we don’t want to do anything or pass legislation which would encourage Gaddafi to remain in power,” Mr McCain told reporters.

Senators Jim Webb, a Democrat, and Bob Corker, a Republican, introduced a separate resolution last week that presses Mr Obama to seek congressional consent for continued US military involvement in Libya and requires the administration to provide a detailed justification for the decision to go to war.

Mr McCain said there are continued signs of deterioration for Gaddafi’s hold on power, including high-level defections from his regime.

“I would say to my Republican friends: If this were a Republican president, would you be trying to impose these same conditions?” Mr McCain asked.

On Monday, the House essentially voted to prohibit money for the Libya operation, backing an amendment barring the use of any funds in contravention of the War Powers Act. The vote was 248-163 on a spending bill that still must be reconciled with the Senate.