WEAPONRY

Obama: U.S. Could Arm Libya Rebels

Says "noose is tightening" around Gaddafi.

In a followup interview with ABC’s Diane Sawyer, President Obama said Tuesday that “the noose is tightening” on Col. Muammar Gaddafi and maintained that the U.S. action in Libya is “unique” to that situation and not necessarily something that will be repeated in other crises. Obama said there are signs that Gaddafi and his inner circle have realized “their days are numbered,” but the U.S. and its NATO allies will continue to pressure Gaddafi to leave. He did not rule out sending weapons to aid the rebels, acknowledging that getting rid of Gaddafi will take a “little bit of time.” Obama stressed that the humanitarian mission in Libya does not extend to Syria, where scores of protesters have taken to the street against the ruling Assad family.