Senators endorse limited US engagement in Libya

Key Senate Democrats and Republicans introduced a resolution endorsing limited US military intervention in Libya, more than two months after coalition air raids began, AFP reported.

The text "supports the limited use of military force by the United States in Libya as part of the NATO mission to enforce United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973" to protect civilians.

Drawn up by Republican Senator John McCain, Democrat John Kerry and others, the document said the Senate "agrees that the goal of United States policy in Libya, as stated by the president, is to achieve the departure from power of Muammar Gaddafi and his family."

Under the federal law, a president has a 60-day limit to send troops into combat without congressional approval. But the Obama administration maintains that permission was not required for a NATO support mission.