Few voters say Libya key to U.S. security

WASHINGTON, March 25 (UPI) -- Few voters say they think Libya is important to U.S. security, even as President Obama pursues a military mission in the country, Rasmussen Reports said.

A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey released Friday indicated 28 percent of likely U.S. voters consider Libya a vital national security interest, while 42 percent said Libya is not important to U.S. national security. Twenty-nine percent said they weren't sure.

A plurality, 45 percent, said the United States shouldn't get involved in conflicts similar to the one in Libya for humanitarian reasons when the situation does not directly threaten this country, Rasmussen Reports said. Thirty-five percent said the United States should be involved in conflicts for humanitarian reasons even if there is no direct national security interest at stake. Twenty percent said they were undecided.

However, Rasmussen Reports said 45 percent of likely voters support Obama's decision to use the U.S. military to help rebels in Libya, while 47 percent said they thought Obama should have gotten congressional approval first.

Results are based on a nationwide survey of 1,000 likely voters conducted Tuesday and Wednesday. The margin of error is 3 percentage points.