Thursday 24 February 2011

Libya: Obama Speaks, Tweeps Heckle · Global Voices

Libya: Obama Speaks, Tweeps Heckle

This post is part of our special coverage Libya Uprising 2011.

United States President Barack Obama broke his silence on Libya in a speech at the White House on Wednesday, but his words did little to satisfy the listening masses on Twitter who for the most heckled the president in tweets throughout the speech.

Without mentioning Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi by name, Obama condemned the violence unleashed on Libyans since anti-government protests began on the night of February 16 (#Feb17) and offered condolences for those killed.

Obama said that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would soon be meeting with the Human Rights Council in Geneva, and offered the following condemnation:

The suffering and bloodshed is outrageous, and it is unacceptable. So are threats and orders to shoot peaceful protesters and further punish the people of Libya. These actions violate international norms and every standard of common decency. This violence must stop.

The United States also strongly supports the universal rights of the Libyan people. That includes the rights of peaceful assembly, free speech and the ability of the Libyan people to determine their own destiny. These are human rights. They are not negotiable.

On Tuesday, Gaddafi delivered a furious, rambling speech, calling for death to anyone who threatens his rule.

Below, is a selection of tweets made during Obama's speech.

This post is part of our special coverage Libya Uprising 2011.

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