Obama to meet with U.N. secretary general on Libya

President Obama and United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon are scheduled to meet Monday afternoon to discuss ways of stopping violence against civilians in Libya.

The two will consider “the humanitarian, diplomatic legal and other actions needed to put a stop to violence against civilians,” the White House said, and ways “to ensure that U.N. agencies and U.N. members mobilize to provide humanitarian assistance to Libya’s people.”

Libya has erupted in violence as the country’s long-time leader, Moammar Gadhafi, cracks down on anti-government protesters seeking to force him from power. Human rights groups have said that hundreds have been killed.

Recently the anti-government rebels have won defections of former military officers loyal and continued to increase their weapons arsenal to combat pro-Gadhafi forces.

In a Saturday telephone call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Obama said Gadhafi had lost his legitimacy to rule and it was time for him to step down.

Echoing that statement, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Sunday the United States is willing to help the Libyan protesters with "any kind of assistance" it could.

The United Nations Security Council voted over the weekend to impose sanctions on Libya and Gadhafi. The U.N. also referred to the International Criminal Court allegations that Gadhafi and his forces committed atrocities against Libyan citizens.

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