Obama: U.S. 'succeeding' in Libya mission

WASHINGTON, March 26 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama said Saturday "we're succeeding in our mission" in Libya and said the operation shows "how the international community should work."

In his weekly radio and Internet address, the president told listeners the campaign against Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi has "made important progress."

"Our military mission in Libya is clear and focused," he said. "Along with our allies and partners, we're enforcing the mandate of the United Nations Security Council. We're protecting the Libyan people from Qaddafi's forces. And we've put in place a no-fly zone and other measures to prevent further atrocities.

"We're succeeding in our mission," Obama said.

The president said the military operation has taken out Gadhafi's air defenses and government forces "are no longer advancing across Libya" and have been pushed back in key areas of the country.

"So make no mistake, because we acted quickly, a humanitarian catastrophe has been avoided and the lives of countless civilians -- innocent men, women and children -- have been saved," he said.

Obama noted "the role of American forces has been limited," with no ground troops in Libya, while U.S. allies "and partners are enforcing the no-fly zone over Libya and the arms embargo at sea."

"And as agreed this week, responsibility for this operation is being transferred from the United States to our NATO allies and partners," he said.

"This is how the international community should work -- more nations, not just the United States, bearing the responsibility and cost of upholding peace and security."

The White House announced Friday Obama will deliver a speech on Libya Monday in Washington.