Photos: Ambassador Susan Rice makes surprise visit to Libya

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U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice is currently visiting Libya. She first stopped by Tripoli where she had talks with Libya's Prime Minister designate Abdurrahim El Keib and also was presented with a memento during her visit to the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi. 

ABC News: US Envoy to UN Makes Surprise Visit to Libya

US Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice arrived in Tripoli, Libya, today in a surprise trip, just a month after she voted to end the UN’s mandate of the NATO mission that ousted Moammar Gadhafi.

“It is good to be in Libya,” she tweeted shortly after arriving.  "I’ve come to witness progress & lend support to Libyan & #UN personnel.” 

Rice eight months ago played a pivotal role in convincing the UN Security Council to authorize the mission to protect civilians.

Photos: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visits Libya

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Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Libya to meet with their interim premier Mahmud Jibril in Tripoli on yesterday. Libya ousted Qaddafi as leader earlier this year and have been trying to stop the remaining rebel fighters. The visit was the highest profile visit by anyone in the Obama administration.

Video: UN Ambassador Susan Rice appears on 'The Colbert Report'

UN Ambassador Susan Rice was last night's guest on The Colbert Report. In the wide-ranging interview, she defended America's recent missions in Libya and Syria and explained why the United Nations is still needed today. The always hilarious Stephen Colbert, host of the show, also asked Ambassador Rice about the famine crisis in Somalia. Check out the video below. 

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Ambassador Susan Rice Pt. 1
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog Video Archive

Hillary Clinton arrives in London for the Conference on Libya

AP / Reuters

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has been traveling so much, I can hardly keep up. She arrived today in London, England to attend the Confrence on Libya. She is meeting with more than 40 leaders to strategize about the outgoing situation in the region and to figure out whether Gaddafi should be allowed into exile.

Sen. Snowe leads effort to support women's rights in Middle East

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Sen. Olympia Snowe (ME-R) has introduced legislation in the Senate pressing world leaders in North African and the Middle East to honor the rights of women in their countries. In addition to Sen. Snowe, the other 16 women in the Senate have signed on and are supporting this historic legislation.

From the Office of Senator Snowe:

“Essential to the success and stability of any government is the equal voice and participation of women,” said Senator Snowe. “The spirit and devotion exemplified by women in North Africa and the Middle East – and the ongoing challenges they continue to face – is both an inspiration to us all and a reminder that discrimination and gender-based violence endures around the world. I honor their commitment to ensuring future generations enjoy the guaranteed equality and basic human rights for which they endeavor to this day and remain steadfast in my commitment to these universal liberties.”

Spotted: Susan Rice meets with UN Security Council on situation in Libya

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United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice was spotted today at a meeting with the United Nations Security Council. The council was meeting on sanctions it had previously imposed on Libya two weeks ago. President Obama will also address the country this evening about the US's role moving forward, and earlier today NATO announced that it would be taking military control of operations against Libyan military. 

Are women leading the way in Libya? Hillary Clinton, Susan Rice, Samantha Power are at forefront

Samantha Power, Susan Rice and President Obama

If you have been paying attention to all the news articles and blog stories about the lead up to military action in  Libya, a new narrative is starting to emerge. Many are noting that three women in particular - Hillary Clinton, Susan Rice, and Samantha Power - are the driving force behind Pres. Obama's sudden change in wanting military action in Libya.

From the New York Times:

The shift in the administration’s position — from strong words against Libya to action — was forced largely by the events beyond its control: the crumbling of the uprising raised the prospect that Colonel Qaddafi would remain in power to kill “many thousands,” as Mr. Obama said at the White House on Friday. The change became possible, though, only after Mrs. Clinton joined Samantha Power, a senior aide at the National Security Council, and Susan Rice, Mr. Obama’s ambassador to the United Nations, who had been pressing the case for military action, according to senior administration officials speaking only on condition of anonymity. Ms. Power is a former journalist and human rights advocate; Ms. Rice was an Africa adviser to President Clinton when the United States failed to intervene to stop the Rwanda genocide, which Mr. Clinton has called his biggest regret.Now, the three women were pushing for American intervention to stop a looming humanitarian catastrophe in Libya.

What do you think about this? Are you surprised that women are actually the ones calling for military action when often they are seen as the peacemakers?

Photo of the Day: Susan Rice voting at the UN for "no fly zone" in Libya

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United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice is seen here voting on behalf of the United Nations at the meeting of the United Nations Security Council for a no-fly zone and 'all necessary measures' against forces loyal to Moamer Kadhafi in Libya. The vote was 10 yeses and 5 abstains - China, Russia, Germany, India and Brazil.

Hillary Clinton arrives in Paris, greeted by Pres. Nicolas Sarkozy

AP

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Paris today to meet with world leaders about the turmoil in Libya. They are scheduled to discuss the possibly of imposing a no-fly zone over Libya. Above, Sec. Clinton is greeted by France President Nicolas Sarkozy.

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Spotted: Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee at the Libyan Embassy

At the podium: Susan Rice answers questions about Libya

The Hardest Working Reporter in America? Christiane Amanpour snags interview with Gadhafi

                                        

After scoring an exclusive interview with the Hosni Mubarack, the recently ousted president of Egypt, ABC News's Christiane Amanpour snags a sit down with Libya's troubled leader, Moammar Gadhafi.

Hillary Clinton speaks to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva

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Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has arrived in Geneva to speak with the U.N. Human Rights Council on the situation with Libya. While there the Secretary of State will focus on different options available to the United Nations and other countries in sanctioning Mr. Kadafi. So far the 27 countries represented in Geneva have agreed on an arms embargo, asset freeze and visa ban. 

Spotted: Susan Rice arriving for Security Council consultations on Libya

AP

Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice was seen arriving at the UN headquarters for Security Council consultations on the peace and security in Libya and other countries in Africa today.

From the LA Times:

The UN Security Council met behind closed doors Saturday to discuss the escalating situation in Libya, a day after Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the violent actions in the country. Members circulated a draft resolution that would impose international sanctions, including an arms embargo and travel ban for members of the Kadafi regime. The draft resolution also calls for members of the regime to be investigated for possible crimes against humanity in the International Criminal Court, according to the New York Times. The 15-member Security Council has the power, under Chapter 7 of the United Nations Charter, to determine the existence of any threats to peace, and take action to "restore international peace and security".

Photos: President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton comment on Libya

Quoted: "Stop this unacceptable bloodshed" - Hillary Clinton

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“The world is watching the situation in Libya with alarm. We join the international community in strongly condemning the violence in Libya. Our thoughts and prayers are with those whose lives have been lost, and with their loved ones. The government of Libya has a responsibility to respect the universal rights of the people, including the right to free expression and assembly. Now is the time to stop this unacceptable bloodshed. We are working urgently with friends and partners around the world to convey this message to the Libyan government.”