Africa, Libya | featured news

Top Obama administration officials are expected to face continued criticism Thursday over their handling of the crisis in Libya, and louder calls for a clearer explanation of U.S. policy in the war-torn North African nation.

A U.S. Air Force F-15E fighter crashed in Libya overnight and one crewmember has been safely rescued and the other is "in the process of recovery," a spokesman for the U.S. military's Africa Command said on Tuesday.

The head of the Arab League has criticized international strikes on Libya, saying they caused civilian deaths.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy, speaking after an emergency summit of world powers in Paris, announces 'our planes are stopping attacks' on Benghazi and that France and its partner nations are determined to stop Moammar Kadafi's 'killing frenzy.' Sarkozy says the summit agreed to demand and enforce an 'immediate cease-fire' in Libya.

The New York Times says four of its journalists who were reported missing while covering the Libya conflict have been found. The Times reported on its website that the four were captured by forces loyal to Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi and will be released Friday....

Tanks, trucks and troops deploy outside Ajdabiya, apparently ready for a full-scale battle.Libyan leader Moammar Kadafi's forces appear to be poised Thursday to crush rebels who have taken control of key eastern cities despite international condemnation that has yet to result in concrete actions.

The White House is urging the Libyan government to refrain from harassing or using violence against journalists, amid reports that four New York Times journalists are missing there.

Moammar Gadhafi's troops pummeled rebel forces Tuesday in the last major city outside their stronghold of Benghazi.

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said Thursday that the better-equipped forces of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi will over the long term prevail.

Libyan leader Moammar Kadafi's speech appears to put to rest rumors reported in some international media that the 68-year-old leader had been considering stepping down.In a defiant speech broadcast early Wednesday, Libyan leader Moammar Kadafi derided opponents who have seized the eastern half of the country as "traitors" and blamed foreigners and Al Qaeda for perpetrating the unrest roiling the North African state he has ruled for more than four decades.