Obama to inform Congress of Libyan US mission cost

The US House of Representatives voted by 268 to 145 votes in favour of a resolution sponsored by the Republican House Speaker John Boehner which called for Obama to inform Congress within the next two weeks of the scope, duration and costs of the US mission in Libya. The House did, however, reject a resolution calling for an end to US participation in Libya in 15 days.

While American lawmakers and military strategists argue over the importance of US participation in NATO operations in Libya, Washington is continuing to engage with the international community on the issue. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has confirmed that she will be travelling to the UAE for the 9th June meeting of the Libyan Contact Group.

It is also understood that the US has involved itself in the well-publicised case of Eman al-Obeidi who, in March this year, in front of international journalists, accused pro-Qadhafi forces of rape. According to her family, the US has assisted the UN Human Rights Council (UNHCR) in her travel from Benghazi to the US. The US State Department has confirmed that it has been monitoring the case, particularly after Al-Obeidi was reportedly expelled from Qatar and returned to Libya.

or more news and expert analysis about Libya, please see Libya Focus and Libya Politics & Security.

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