U.S. President Barack Obama met United Nations General Secretary Ban Ki-moon to discuss further steps in the international bid to deter the violence by Libyan dictator Muammar Qadhafi against anti-government protesters in the African nation.
Mr. Obama met Mr. Ban at his Oval office of the White House on Monday.
“With respect to Libya, the Secretary General indicated that he intended to name a senior-level person to coordinate the United Nations humanitarian and political efforts with respect to Libya,” U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice told reporters at the White House.
“That was something that we had encouraged and welcomed. So there was a real effort discussed and agreed that would help to coordinate and consolidate both the humanitarian response, particularly with respect to Libya, and the political efforts to help support the democratic transformations that we hope are underway in various parts of the region,” she said.
The U.N. has played a positive and important role in efforts to end the bloodshed there and to hold the Qadhafi regime accountable, Ms. Rice said, adding that “Indeed, in Libya, the United Nations is demonstrating the indispensable role that it can play in advancing our interests and defending our values.”
Ms. Rice said Mr. Obama and Mr. Ban also discussed the region broadly and the international efforts, including those led and coordinated by the United Nations, to be responsive to developments in each of these countries.
“So, for example, the Secretary General reported that he has sent high-level teams to both Egypt and Tunisia to engage those governments about the process of transition and the political support that the United Nations and the international community might be able to provide in support of those political transitions,” she said.
Mr. Obama and Mr. Ban discussed the situation elsewhere in the Middle East as well as the situation in Cd’Ivoire. “With respect to Cd’Ivoire, they expressed their concern about the escalation of violence there and the need to enable the legitimately elected president, Alassane Quattara, to assume responsibility for governing Cd’Ivoire,” she said.
Sudan referendum was also discussed during the meeting.
“They discussed the vital work that the U.N. and the international community have still to do, along with the parties to the Sudanese conflict, to resolve outstanding issues and ensure lasting peace as the South gains its independence in July of this year,” Ms. Rice said.
The U.S. President and the U.N. Secretary General also shared ideas to build on the strengths of the United Nations while pursuing and implementing important management reforms as well as budgetary discipline.
“Obama reaffirmed the administration’s strong belief that the United Nations continues to play a vital role in addressing tough, global and transnational threats, and in doing so, its work enhances the safety and well-being of the American people,” Ms. Rice said.
