[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 170 (Tuesday, November 8, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S7195]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 317--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING THE 
    LIBERATION OF LIBYA FROM THE DICTATORSHIP LED BY MUAMMAR QADDAFI

  Mr. KERRY (for himself, Mr. McCain, and Mr. Lieberman) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
Relations:

                              S. Res. 317

       Whereas peaceful demonstrations, which began in Libya on 
     February 17, 2011, and were inspired by similar movements in 
     Tunisia, Egypt, and elsewhere in the Middle East, quickly 
     spread to cities throughout Libya and were met with military 
     force by the government of Muammar Qaddafi, including the use 
     of air power and foreign mercenaries;
       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 in response to Qaddafi's assault on civilians in 
     Libya, a ``no-fly zone'' in Libya was called for by--
       (1) the Gulf Cooperation Council on March 7, 2011;
       (2) the Secretary-General of the Organization of the 
     Islamic Conference on March 8, 2011; and
       (3) the Arab League on March 12, 2011;
       Whereas the United Nations Security Council passed--
       (1) Resolution 1970 on February 26, 2011, which mandated 
     international economic sanctions and an arms embargo; and
       (2) Resolution 1973 on March 17, 2011, which authorized 
     United Nations member states to take ``all necessary 
     measures'' to protect civilians in Libya and to implement a 
     ``no-fly zone'';
       Whereas the United States Armed Forces, in cooperation with 
     coalition partners, launched Operation Odyssey Dawn in Libya 
     on March 19, 2011, to protect civilians in Libya from 
     immediate danger and enforce an arms embargo and a ``no-fly 
     zone'', which was transferred on March 31, 2011 to NATO 
     command, with the mission continuing as Operation Unified 
     Protector;
       Whereas the National Transitional Council of Libya-- ,
       (1) formally convened in Benghazi on March 5, 2011 for the 
     first time in support of the February 17 Revolution;
       (2) formed an executive body on March 23, 2011; and
       (3) was recognized by the United States as the ``legitimate 
     governing authority for Libya'' on July 15, 2011;
       Whereas the military offensive of forces loyal to the 
     National Transitional Council against Qaddafi loyalists 
     accelerated in June and July, and the Libyan capital, 
     Tripoli, was declared liberated in August 2011;
       Whereas the United Nations Security Council passed 
     Resolution 2009 on September 16, 2011, creating the United 
     Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) to support Libyan 
     national efforts to secure the country's political and 
     economic transition;
       Whereas on October 23, 2011, the National Transitional 
     Council issued an historic Declaration of Liberation for 
     Libya; and
       Whereas on October 27, 2011, the United Nations Security 
     Council unanimously passed Resolution 2016, which ended the 
     mandate established by United Nations Security Council 
     Resolution 1973 for international military intervention to 
     protect Libyan citizens on October 31, 2011;
       Whereas on October 28, 2011, NATO announced that Operation 
     Unified Protector would end on October 31, 2011:
       Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the people of Libya for their tremendous 
     courage and extraordinary resilience in liberating themselves 
     from the despotic regime of Muammar Qaddafi;
       (2) commends the men and women of the United States Armed 
     Forces and their coalition partners who engaged in military 
     operations to protect the people of Libya for their 
     extraordinary bravery and professionalism;
       (3) supports the legitimate aspirations of the people of 
     Libya to form a democratic government that respects universal 
     human rights and freedoms, and allows Libyans to build their 
     lives free from fear;
       (4) welcomes the October 23, 2011 Libyan Declaration of 
     Liberation by the National Transitional Council;
       (5) affirms the national interest of the United States in a 
     successful and irreversible transition to democracy in Libya, 
     including--
       (A) respect for the rule of law;
       (B) independent media;
       (C) a vibrant civil society; and
       (D) universal rights and freedoms, including equal rights 
     for all citizens, freedom of speech, and human rights; and
       (6) urges the swift establishment of a new interim 
     transitional authority in Libya that is broadly inclusive and 
     representative of the Libyan people and will--
       (A) prepare for elections that are free, fair, transparent, 
     credible, and meet international electoral standards, working 
     with relevant international actors, including the United 
     Nations;
       (B) restore public security and promote the rule of law;
       (C) promote and ensure compliance throughout Libya of 
     international norms of justice and human rights, particularly 
     with respect to detainees, individuals associated or 
     suspected of association with the Qaddafi regime, internally 
     displaced persons, refugees, third-country nationals, and 
     other vulnerable communities;
       (D) begin a process of national reconciliation and 
     accountability for human rights abuses committed by all 
     parties, including any committed by forces fighting against 
     the Qaddafi regime; and
       (E) work closely with the Organization for the Prohibition 
     of Chemical Weapons and the International Atomic Energy 
     Agency to eliminate remaining stockpiles of chemical weapon 
     agents and secure existing nuclear materials and facilities.

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