In a nationally televised address on Monday night, President Obama defended his decision to authorize the U.S.-led attack on Libya to enforce a no-fly zone. Obama said the United States has a humanitarian duty to prevent atrocities overseas.

President Barack Obama: “We have intervened to stop a massacre, and we will work with our allies and partners to maintain the safety of civilians. We will deny the regime arms, cut off its supplies of cash, assist the opposition, and work with other nations to hasten the day when Gaddafi leaves power. It may not happen overnight, as a badly weakened Gaddafi tries desperately to hang on to power. But it should be clear to those around Gaddafi, and to every Libyan, that history is not on Gaddafi’s side.”