This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-us-canada-13785073

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
US lawmakers file suit against Barack Obama over Libya White House: US 'can act in Libya without Congress'
(about 2 hours later)
A bipartisan group of US lawmakers have sued President Barack Obama for taking military action in Libya without authorisation from Congress. President Barack Obama does not need congressional approval for the US to continue its role in the Nato-led Libya mission, the White House has said.
In the federal lawsuit, 10 congressmen alleged that Mr Obama violated the US constitution in bypassing Congress. In a 32-page document, the White House said the president already had legal authority to order forces into Libya.
A Vietnam War-era law states Congress must authorise participation in hostilities longer than 60 days.A Vietnam War-era law states Congress must authorise participation in hostilities longer than 60 days.
The White House has sent a report to Congress arguing that the US role in Libya does not need extra approval. Members of Congress have accused Mr Obama of violating that law since 20 May, when the 60-day deadline ended.
'Illegal policies' 'Limited nature'
The lawsuit, which also targets Defence Secretary Robert Gates, challenges the policy "that any president can take the US to war unilaterally", Democratic Congressman Dennis Kucinich of Ohio said. In the report delivered to Congress on Wednesday, the White House argues that US forces involved in the Nato campaign are merely playing a supporting role.
"We have asked the courts to move to protect the American people from the results of these illegal policies," he added. That role, the White House says, does not match the definition of "hostilities" as described under a 1973 law that constrains the US president's ability to wage military conflict.
Other plaintiffs include Democratic Representatives John Conyers and Michael Capuano and Republicans Walter Jones, Howard Coble and Ron Paul - who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination for 2012. The current actions of US forces in Libya do not amount to full "hostilities". That, in a nutshell, is why the Obama administration says it doesn't need congressional authority, under the War Powers Resolution.
The congressmen said they wanted Mr Obama to explain whether he intends to follow the War Powers Resolution, as the 1973 law is known, and ask for congressional approval for continued action in Libya. It is not clear if its 30-page report will satisfy congressional critics.
With Republican Speaker John Boehner leading the charge, some suspect this battle is more about politics than concerns about the constitution or the White House exceeding its powers.
The administration is hoping this stays a Washington Beltway issue, with Libya generating little attention nationwide. But Congress has put down a marker.
"The president is of the view that the current US military operations in Libya are consistent with the War Powers Resolution and do not under that law require further congressional authorization," the White House wrote.
"US military operations are distinct from the kind of 'hostilities' contemplated by the resolution's 60-day termination provision," it added.
The US role in Libya involves helping Nato aircraft with refuelling operations and assisting with intelligence-gathering, the White House says.
The Obama administration insists that the US is not engaged in sustained fighting or "active exchanges of fire with hostile forces" that put US troops at risk.
Under the US constitution, the power to declare war lies with Congress.Under the US constitution, the power to declare war lies with Congress.
If the president orders the US military into a conflict absent a declaration of war, the War Powers Resolution requires him to seek authorisation from Congress within 60 days or to end US involvement in the conflict. If the president orders the US military into a conflict without an explicit declaration of war, the War Powers Resolution requires him to seek authorisation from Congress within 60 days or to end US involvement in the conflict.
The law allows the president to extend the period before going to congress for another 30 days.The law allows the president to extend the period before going to congress for another 30 days.
'Supporting role' 'Illegal policies'
Sunday marks 90 days since the US joined the Nato-led no-fly zone mission over Libya.Sunday marks 90 days since the US joined the Nato-led no-fly zone mission over Libya.
In its 30-page report, the White House says that US involvement in the Libya campaign does not require Congress's approval because the US military is only playing a supporting role. This week the Republican speaker of the House of Representatives, John Boehner, said "it would appear" that on that day the Obama administration would be in violation of the War Powers Resolution.
The main US focus is on helping Nato aircraft with refuelling aircraft and assisting with intelligence-gathering, the White House says, and the US is not engaged in sustained fighting. Mr Boehner said that the administration would be in breach of the resolution unless the White House "asks for and receives authorisation from Congress or withdraws all US troops and resources from the mission".
"We believe that the support for the overall mission, the support for the goal of protecting Libyan civilians and holding Col Gaddafi accountable, will continue," White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters on Wednesday. The White House rebuttal came as a bipartisan group of US lawmakers sued Mr Obama in federal court for taking military action in Libya without authorisation from Congress.
"It is support that we've had from Congress in the past and we expect it to continue, because now is not the time to send mixed messages as we've had the success that we've had in that mission." The lawsuit alleges that the president had violated the US constitution in bypassing Congress.
Mr Carney also reiterated the US would not send ground troops into Libya. The lawsuit, which also targets Defence Secretary Robert Gates, challenges the policy "that any president can take the US to war unilaterally", Democratic Congressman Dennis Kucinich of Ohio said.
"We have asked the courts to move to protect the American people from the results of these illegal policies," he added.