Obama, Sarkozy speak about Libya

EDGARTOWN, Mass., Aug. 23 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy spoke by phone Tuesday, agreeing it's time for the Gadhafi regime to go, the White House said.

The Obama family is on vacation on Martha's Vineyard off Massachusetts.

"With regard to Libya, they agreed that [Libyan leader Moammar] Gadhafi and the remnants of his regime needed to accept that their time is up and relinquish power once and for all," a White House statement said, "and they welcomed the progress that has been made by the Libyan people in pursuing an end to the Gadhafi regime. At the same time, they agreed to continue to work with allies and partners in the international community to protect the people of Libya and to support a peaceful transition to democracy."

Rebels continued to fight around Gadhafi strongholds in Tripoli.

Obama received a briefing on Libya Tuesday morning from national security adviser John Brennan, and will be updated as needed, a White House official said.

Sarkozy and Obama also "continued their close consultations about the global economic situation and recent developments in financial markets," the White House statement said, and agreed on concerted action.