Paris, France -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in Paris on Saturday that the United States would contribute its "unique capabilities" to help its European and Canadian allies in enforcing a U.N. resolution on Libya.
Clinton, speaking as French warplanes began operations to stop Muammar Gaddafi's attacks, said the United States would support the intervention in Libya in the name of the U.N.
"If the international community is to have credibility, in this show of unity that 1973 represents, then action must take place," she said.
Clinton, who will be joining neighbors Canada as they prepare a naval blockade, said the aim of Western powers was to protect civilians, and aimed to stop Gaddafi in his tracks.
"We have every reason to fear that, left unchecked, Gaddafi will commit unspeakable atrocities. It is against that backdrop that nations from across the region and across the world met today here in Paris to discuss the ways we can, working together, implement resolution 1973," she said.
Clinton added that Washington had yet to decide whether to follow France in formally recognizing the rebel government in Benghazi.
However, she was unequivocal about the American nation's position at the heart of the military intervention.
"Let me be very clear about the position of the United States. We will support an international coalition as it takes all necessary measures to enforce the terms of resolution 1973. As you know, French planes are already in the skies above Benghazi. Now America has unique capabilities and we will bring them to bear to help our European allies and arab partners stop further violence against civilians, including through the effective implementation of a no-fly zone," she said.
CBS