Washington, Mar.10 (ANI): The US Department of State has declined to describe the ongoing crisis in Libya as a civil war, after a key lawmaker used the term to characterize the ongoing battle between rebels and Gaddafi's forces.
State Department spokesman Mark Toner said: "I would just say that what we have is a leader who used not just arms but heavy weaponry against his people and is now in a situation where he's lost all legitimacy," when he was questioned whether the fighting had escalated into a civil war.
According to the Fox News, Toner said he could not give a "clear answer" on that question, and stressed on the Obama administration's call for Gaddafi to step down and put an end to the "bloodshed."
He also said that the United States is not acting alone, as NATO allies weigh whether to impose a no-fly zone over the country.
The Pentagon stressed that the no-fly zone option is still on the table.
But the senior US Senator from Indiana Richard Lugar warned that such an action would have far-ranging consequences and could strain US resources given the nature of the fighting in Libya.
Lugar said "This is now a civil war", "Intervening in such conflicts is fraught with unknowns and unintended consequences." (ANI)
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