Two senators who have been leading the call for American intervention on behalf of the pro-democracy forces in Libya predicted on Sunday that this weekend’s action will “turn the tide.”
Sen. John McCain, Arizona Republican, and Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, Connecticut independent, appearing on CNN’s “State of the Union,” said this weekend’s air and missile strikes on Col. Moammar Gadhafi’s forces in Libya were overdue.
“It’s late but not too late,” Mr. Lieberman said.
“I think we can turn this tide. We will know in five or six days,” Mr. McCain said.
Both senators said earlier action from President Obama might have brought a quicker end to the dictator’s bloody crackdown on a pro-democracy uprising in the North African nation.
“He waited too long, I have no doubt about it,” Mr. McCain said.
Speaking specifically to other American lawmakers concerned about getting involved in yet another open-ended conflict, Mr. McCain predicted a quick resolution.
But he said the United States had to get involved in Libya.
“If we hadn’t taken this action, the consequences of it would have reverberated for years,” he said.
• David Eldridge can be reached at deldridge@washingtontimes.com.
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