March 30, 2011

U.S. official: Obama authorized covert support for Libya rebels

Report of presidential 'finding' order comes after U.S. lawmaker says administration has not yet decided whether to arm rebels against Gadhafi.

Haaretz Service via Reuters

http://www.jewishjournal.com/ world/article/us_official_obama_authorized_covert_support_for_libya_rebels_20110330/

President Barack Obama has signed a secret order authorizing covert U.S. government support for rebel forces seeking to oust Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi, government officials told Reuters on Wednesday.

Obama signed the order, known as a presidential “finding”, within the last two or three weeks, according to four U.S. government sources familiar with the matter.

Such findings are a principal form of presidential directive used to authorize secret operations by the Central Intelligence Agency. The CIA and the White House declined immediate comment.