III 

112TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 194 

Expressing the sense of the Senate on United States military operations 

in Libya. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MAY 23, 2011 

Mr. MCCAIN (for himself, Mr. KERRY, Mr. LIEBERMAN, Mr. LEVIN, Mr. 

GRAHAM, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, and Mr. CHAMBLISS) submitted the following 

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing the sense of the Senate on United States military 

operations in Libya. 

Whereas peaceful demonstrations that began in Libya, inspired by similar movements in Tunisia, Egypt, and elsewhere in the Middle East, quickly spread to cities around 

the country, calling for greater political reform, opportunity, justice, and the rule of law; 

Whereas, Muammar Qaddafi, his sons, and forces loyal to 

them responded to the peaceful demonstrations by authorizing and initiating violence against civilian non-combatants in Libya, including the use of airpower and foreign mercenaries; 

Whereas, on February 25, 2011, President Barack Obama 

imposed unilateral economic sanctions on and froze the 


emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
2 

•SRES 194 IS 

assets of Muammar Qaddafi and his family, as well as 

the Government of Libya and its agencies, to hold the 

Qaddafi regime accountable for its continued use of violence against unarmed civilians and its human rights 

abuses and to safeguard the assets of the people of 

Libya; 

Whereas, on February 26, 2011, the United Nations Security 

Council passed Resolution 1970, which mandates international economic sanctions and an arms embargo; 

Whereas, in response to Qaddafi’s assault on Libyan civilians, 

a ‘‘no-fly zone’’ in Libya was called for by the Gulf Cooperation Council on March 7, 2011, by the head of the 

Organization of the Islamic Conference on March 8, 

2011, and by the Arab League on March 12, 2011; 

Whereas Qaddafi’s advancing forces, after recapturing cities 

in eastern Libya that had been liberated by the Libyan 

opposition, were preparing to attack Benghazi, a city of 

700,000 people and the seat of the opposition Government in Libya, the Interim Transitional National Council; 

Whereas Qaddafi stated that he would show ‘‘no mercy’’ to 

his opponents in Benghazi, and that his forces would go 

‘‘door to door’’ to find and kill dissidents; 

Whereas, on March 17, 2011, the United Nations Security 

Council passed Resolution 1973, which mandates ‘‘all 

necessary measures’’ to protect civilians in Libya, implement a ‘‘no-fly zone’’, and enforce an arms embargo 

against the Qaddafi regime; 

Whereas President Obama notified key congressional leaders 

in a meeting at the White House on March 18, 2011, of 

his intent to begin targeted military operations in Libya; 


emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
3 

•SRES 194 IS 

Whereas the United States Armed Forces, together with coalition partners, launched Operation Odyssey Dawn in 

Libya on March 19, 2011, to protect civilians in Libya 

from immediate danger and to enforce an arms embargo 

and a ‘‘no-fly zone’’; and 

Whereas, on March 31, 2011, the United States transferred 

authority for Operation Odyssey Dawn in Libya to 

NATO command, with the mission continuing as Operation Unified Protector: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) supports the aspirations of the Libyan peo3 ple for political reform and self-government based on 

4 democratic and human rights; 

5 (2) commends the service of the men and 

6 women of the United States Armed Forces and our 

7 coalition partners who are engaged in military oper8 ations to protect the people of Libya; 

9 (3) supports the limited use of military force by 

10 the United States in Libya as part of the NATO 

11 mission to enforce United Nations Security Council 

12 Resolution 1973 (2011), as requested by the Transi13 tional National Council, the Arab League, and the 

14 Gulf Cooperation Council; 

15 (4) agrees that the goal of United States policy 

16 in Libya, as stated by the President, is to achieve 

17 the departure from power of Muammar Qaddafi and 

18 his family, including through the use of non-military 


emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
4 

•SRES 194 IS 

1 means, so that a peaceful transition can begin to an 

2 inclusive government that ensures freedom, oppor3 tunity, and justice for the people of Libya; 

4 (5) affirms that the funds of the Qaddafi re5 gime that have been frozen by the United States 

6 should be returned to the Libyan people for their 

7 benefit, including humanitarian and reconstruction 

8 assistance, and calls for exploring with the Transi9 tional National Council the possibility of using some 

10 of such funds to reimburse NATO member countries 

11 for expenses incurred in Operation Odyssey Dawn 

12 and Operation Unified Protector; and 

13 (6) calls on the President— 

14 (A) to submit to Congress a description of 

15 United States policy objectives in Libya, both 

16 during and after Qaddafi’s rule, and a detailed 

17 plan to achieve them; and 

18 (B) to consult regularly with Congress re19 garding United States efforts in Libya. 

Æ 


emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS