Leaders of U.S. and U.K. discussed ways of stepping up diplomatic pressure on Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, the White House press service said in a statement.
“In addition to increasing military pressure and protecting civilians through the coalition operation that NATO is leading, the leaders discussed the importance of increasing diplomatic and economic pressure on the Qadhafi regime to cease attacks on civilians and comply with UN Security Council resolutions,” the statement reads.
The phone conversation between Barack Obama and David Cameron was held as part of regular consultations between the international coalition members.
The UN Security Council adopted a resolution imposing a no-fly zone over Libya on March 17, paving the way for a military operation against Gaddafi, which began two days later. The command of the operation was shifted from a U.S.-led international coalition to NATO in late March.
Libyan opposition leaders say over 10,000 people have been killed by strongman Muammar Gaddafi’s forces since the start of the conflict between the country’s leadership and opposition in February.
WASHINGTON, April 21 (RIA Novosti)