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{{Cquote|that state, and other members of the international community, might consider them a violation of the prohibition of the “threat or use of force,” as well as of the customary duty of non-intervention in the affairs of other sovereign states.}}

{{Cquote|that state, and other members of the international community, might consider them a violation of the prohibition of the “threat or use of force,” as well as of the customary duty of non-intervention in the affairs of other sovereign states.}}

A hearing conducted by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee days before President Obama ordered intervention revealed differences of opinion between several Senators and the administration about the need for Congressional authorization, and the likelihood  [[al Qaeda]] and other violent Islamists are poised to take advantage of the Libyan situation. On March 29, 2011, Admiral James Stavridis, Nato's Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, in response to a question by Sen. [[James Inhofe]] told the committee U.S. intelligence knew of al Qaeda and  [[Hezbollah]] elements among the Libyan rebel groups.<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8414583/Libya-al-Qaeda-among-Libya-rebels-Nato-chief-fears.html</ref> This set of a fierce debate in the [[Obama administration]] over the wisdom of arming terrorists.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/30/world/africa/30diplo.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss</ref> However, it is now known, sometime prior to March 31, 2011, President Obama signed a secret Presidential Finding authorizing support for the rebels. Direct arms support would violate the arms embargo imposed by UN Security Council Resolution 1970 on February 26, 2011.<ref>http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/30/us-libya-usa-order-idUSTRE72T6H220110330</ref>

A hearing conducted by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee days before President Obama ordered intervention revealed differences of opinion between several Senators and the administration about the need for Congressional authorization, and the likelihood  [[al Qaeda]] and other violent Islamists are poised to take advantage of the Libyan situation. In response to a question from Sen. [[James Inhofe]], Admiral James Stavridis, Nato's Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, told the committee on March 29, 2011, that U.S. intelligence knew of al Qaeda and  [[Hezbollah]] elements among the Libyan rebels.<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8414583/Libya-al-Qaeda-among-Libya-rebels-Nato-chief-fears.html</ref> This set off a fierce debate in the [[Obama administration]] over the wisdom of arming terrorists.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/30/world/africa/30diplo.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss</ref> It is now known however that sometime prior to March 31, 2011, President Obama signed a secret Presidential Finding authorizing support for the rebels. Direct arms support would violate the arms embargo imposed by UN Security Council Resolution 1970 on February 26, 2011.<ref>http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/30/us-libya-usa-order-idUSTRE72T6H220110330</ref>

Public opinion initially was divided on support for President Obama's actions, within 30 days however, opposition rose 15%<ref>http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/04/americans-rapidly-turn-against-obama-over-handling-of-libyan-intervention.php</ref> as the reality of the intervention set in.

Public opinion initially was divided on support for President Obama's actions, within 30 days however, opposition rose 15%<ref>http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/04/americans-rapidly-turn-against-obama-over-handling-of-libyan-intervention.php</ref> as the reality of the intervention set in.