Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the United States isn't impressed with Libya's claims of a cease-fire, and that dictator Moammar Gadhafi's must prove it's serious about halting its attacks.
And, Clinton said Friday, the United States' ultimate demand remains: Gadhafi must leave.
"We are going to be not responsive or impressed by words, we would have to see actions on the ground and that is not yet at all clear," Clinton said. "We will continue to work with our partners in the international community to press Gadhafi to leave and to support the legitimate aspirations of the Libyan people."
For example, shortly after Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa announced what he billed as an immediate cease-fire today, a doctor in Misrata said government forces shelled the city, killing 25 people
Libya's announcement came after the U.N. voted Thursday night to authorize a no-fly zone and "all necessary measures" to protect the Libyan people, including airstrikes.
The cease-fire "will take the country back to safety" and ensure security for all Libyans, Koussa said.But he also criticized the authorization of international military action, calling it a violation of Libya's sovereignty.
Libya's surprise move, after defiance from dictator Gadhafi and his forces' continuing attacks against rebels came even as Western nations, including the United States, France, and Great Britain, were making plans to thwart Gadhafi's forces. Those plans included adhering to the U.N. resolutions to implement the no-fly zone over Libya at the same time it called for "all necessary measures" to protect civilians.
Libya's declaration occurred shortly after French government spokesman Francois Baroin said his country could start military operations against the Libya in a matter of hours, in the wake of the U.N. resolution.
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