Obama expects larger role for Germany in Libya

By Mike McCarthy Jun 7, 2011, 17:51 GMT

US President Barack Obama (R) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel hold a joint press conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, USA on 07 June, 2011. Obama welcomed German Chancellor Merkel to the White House for wide ranging discussions, but also to celebrate the long standing friendship shared by the two countries. Merkel was greeted on the White House‘s South Lawn by music and a crowd of hundreds as part of the visit, which includes a rare state dinner - the first Obama has granted to a European leader. EPA/JIM LO SCALZO

Washington - US President Barack Obama said during a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday that he expects Germany to play a more prominent role in Libya once the conflict is over.

'There is going to be a lot of work to do when Gaddafi does step down in terms of getting the Libyan people back on their feet - economic, political work that's going to have to be done,' Obama said.

'And my expectation is going to be that there will be full and robust German support, as there has been in the past from Germany on a wide range of issues,' Obama added.

Germany has refused to engage its military directly in the UN-supported NATO mission in Libya designed to enforce a no-fly zone and stop Libyan leader Moamer Gaddafi's forces from attacking civilians as it wages a fight against internationally backed opposition rebels.

Merkel suggested that Germany could play a bigger role in helping Libya recover from the conflict once Gaddafi is no longer in power - a notion both leaders predicted was inevitable.

'Gaddafi needs to step down and he will step down. I'm convinced of that, because we have made great progress,' Merkel said through a translator. 'And then there will still be a lot of work to do.'

'And in that future, when we have the talks on this, we agree that Germany will be showing that it is responsible and committed to the Libyan cause. There will be a lot of problems still to contend with. And we will be in the closest possible contact.'

Obama largely brushed aside any differences over Libya, saying Germany's decision to provide more assets to the NATO mission in Afghanistan has allowed other countries to contribute more to Libya. He also noted that Germany also has a staffing role in the alliance that is supporting the mission.

Obama hosted Merkel at the White House for the major visit by the chancellor, which includes a rare state dinner - the first Obama has granted to a European leader. She was greeted at the White House by Obama with all of the pageantry that defines such a high-level visit - including music and dozens of German and Americans flag displayed around the perimeter of the White House while hundreds looked on.

Obama and Merkel made remarks celebrating the longstanding relations between the two countries before sitting down for talks on a wide range of issues. Those included Libya, the Middle East peace process, the conflict in Afghanistan, Iran's suspect nuclear activities, the global economic recovery and the risks to it posed by Greece's mounting debt crisis.

Germany has been among the leading European countries trying to find a solution to the crisis in Greece as nations in the eurozone are considering a financial bailout package. Obama said he was confident a solution will be found but warned it would be 'disastrous for us to see an uncontrolled spiral and default in Europe.'

'I am confident that Germany's leadership, along with other key actors in Europe, will help us arrive at a path for Greece to return to growth, for this debt to become more manageable,' said Obama, who is trying to tackle a growing debt problem in the US as well.

Germany has moved more reluctantly to help EU countries facing debt problems than the US would prefer, but Merkel sought to assure Obama the EU is acting toward a resolution.

'We in Europe have our hands full already with what we need to do, and I'm absolutely convinced that as we shoulder our responsibility and meet our responsibilities, so will the United States of America,' Merkel said.

Merkel has a day full of activities on her agenda after arriving Monday night and dining with Obama. During Tuesday evening's state dinner, Obama will present Merkel with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor an American president can award a civilian, at the state dinner.

Merkel also attended a luncheon hosted by Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton at the State Department. She was also due to meet with congressional leaders.

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