Obama 'we stopped massacre in Libya'

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama Monday told Americans his actions had stopped a "massacre" in Libya, but warned a military campaign to oust Moamer Kadhafi could repeat the bloodshed and misery of Iraq.

Obama mounted a firm defense of his decision to launch air strikes and launch a no-fly zone as part of an international coalition to protect civilians after the teetering Arab strongman threatened his own people with a bloodbath.

He justified the operation as vital to honoring US "interests and values," rejected claims he had been too slow to act, and made clear to war-weary Americans that the future US role would be limited.

"In just one month, the United States has worked with our international partners to mobilize a broad coalition, secure an international mandate to protect civilians, stop an advancing army, prevent a massacre, and establish a no-fly Zone with our allies and partners," Obama said in a televised speech.

The US leader said he had no choice but to act with international partners after Kadhafi rejected an offer to stop his "campaign of killing" and his forces surged towards the key city of Benghazi.

"Kadhafi declared that he would show 'no mercy' to his own people. He compared them to rats, and threatened to go door to door to inflict punishment," Obama said.

"I refused to let that happen."

Obama admitted that there was "no question" that Libya and the world would be better off if Kadhafi went, and vowed to pursue his ouster in a manner that stopped short of a military bid to eject him from power. (AFP)