Gaddafi needs to leave: Obama

US Prez Barack Obama has said the Libyan leader needs to leave as he has "lost legitimacy".

Washington: Issuing a fresh ultimatum to Muammar Gaddafi, US President Barack Obama has said the Libyan leader needs to leave as he has "lost legitimacy".

"Mr Gaddafi has lost legitimacy and he needs to leave," Obama said in a joint media availability with visiting
Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen at the White House.
Obama said he and Rasmussen agree that international
community have to speak firmly against any violence that`s
directed at civilians.

"We have to make sure to provide humanitarian
assistance, both inside of Libya as well as along the border
regions where so many people have left; and that it`s going to be very important for us to look at a wide range of options that continue to tighten the noose around Mr Gaddafi and apply additional pressure," he said.
"So we will be continuing to coordinate closely both
through NATO as well as the UN and other international fora to
look at every single option that`s available to us in bringing
about a better outcome for the Libyan people," Obama said.

Condemning the violent repression of the Libyan
people, Rasmussen said European leaders gathered last Friday,
sent a very strong signal to Gaddafi.

"He should be history. He has lost his legitimacy, as
you (Obama) just mentioned. I think it`s important that the
international society examine all options to protect the
Libyan people," he said.
"Fortunately, change is going on in other countries in
the Middle East and North Africa as well, and we had an
opportunity to discuss it`s basically a very positive
transition in Egypt and Tunisia," the Prime Minister said.

During his stay here Rasmussen met with House Minority
Whip Steny Hoyer and US House of Representatives Speaker John
Boehner.

During the meeting, Hoyer referred to Denmark as one
"of the very closest allies of the United States" and thanked
the Danish administration for its commitment to "making the
world a better and safer place".

PTI

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