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Obama: 'No Letup' in Airstrikes Against Gadhafi


British Prime Minister David Cameron (R) watches U.S. President Barack Obama speak to reporters at Lancaster House in London, May 25, 2011
British Prime Minister David Cameron (R) watches U.S. President Barack Obama speak to reporters at Lancaster House in London, May 25, 2011

As NATO intensifies its airstrikes on Libya, U.S. President Barack Obama has told the world there will be "no letup" on allied efforts to force Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi to step down.

People in Tripoli said they can hear that NATO's barrage against the Libyan capital has increased. The U.S. president met with British Prime Minister David Cameron in London on Wednesday about the situation in Libya, and the two men addressed reporters at a joint news conference.

Residents of Tripoli reported at least six loud blasts in the city overnight. NATO began stepping up its bombardment of the city on Monday, with some of the new airstrikes aimed at an area around Gadhafi's compound.

Russia objects

Russia spoke out against the NATO bombing campaign Wednesday, declaring that the airstrikes against Tripoli violate U.N. Security Council resolutions.

Foreign Ministry officials in Moscow said NATO's aerial campaign is not stopping pro-Gadhafi forces from attacking rebels, but is creating more suffering for Libyan civilians.

South African President Jacob Zuma said he will travel to Libya to try to help resolve the conflict.

Zuma to talk with Gadhafi

A statement released by Zuma's office on Wednesday says he will hold talks with Gadhafi in Tripoli on Monday, using the South African leader's capacity as a member of high-level African Union committees.

On Tuesday, a high-ranking U.S. official who is visiting Libya said the rebel Transition National Council (TNC) has accepted an invitation from Obama to open a representative office in Washington.

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