How Long Will NATO Enforce No-Fly Zone? Boehner Asks

House Speaker John Boehner on Tuesday said President Barack Obama had not been able to answer a question about how long NATO would enforce a no fly zone over Libya if Col. Muammar Gaddafi did not leave the country.

He made the comments on Tuesday at a press conference with reporters. Last Friday, Obama reached out to lawmakers in a conference call to update them on the situation in Libya.

Boehner said Tuesday that most of the Congress would support the humanitarian mission in place to stop the slaughter of innocent people in the country.

But the second part of this plan is that we hope Gaddafi leaves. I just don't think that that is a strategy and when you listen about all of what's going on and all of the words, it really is nothing more than hope. If Gaddafi doesn't leave, how long will NATO be there to enforce a no-fly zone? It's a very troubling question.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which includes members from North America and Europe, has taken charge of command and control operations related to the enforcement of a United Nations resolution calling for Gaddafi to put in place a ceasefire, while also authorizing the use of military force to protect civilians, including a no-fly zone over the country.

The measure calls for taking all necessary measures to protect civilians, stopping short of a foreign army's occupation of the country.

The United Nations Security Council Resolution which NATO is enforcing authorizes the use of military force to establish a no-fly zone in Libya to protect civilians, including all necessary measures to protect them short of a foreign army's occupation.

The U.S. is working on four tracks to address the situation in Libya, according to Sec. of State Hillary Clinton. However the U.S. or allies have not discussed a timeline for support in the country.

Beyond the military effort, there is humanitarian assistance, and pressure on the Gaddafi regime through sanctions and other measures, while supporting Libyans in establishing political change in the country.

Beyond the humanitarian crisis, we know long-term progress in Libya will not be accomplished through military means, Clinton said in London on Tuesday after a meeting of international representatives seeking to support political change in the country.

She said change could not come by force from beyond the country.

Now, we cannot and must not attempt to impose our will on the people of Libya, but we can and must stand with them as they determine their own destiny, she said.