Obama says Libya mission saved countless lives

President Barack Obama told Americans on Saturday that the military mission in Libya is clear, precise and limited, and has already saved "countless" lives of civilians.
A US-led coalition launched a bombing campaign last week in order to protect civilians after Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, whose forces were advancing against the rebel strongholds and threatened with violent reprisals against them.
U.S. and other international forces continue to strike forces and armaments Gaddafi with missiles and precision bombs and executing a no-fly zone over the country and an embargo on weapons to the sea
Obama said the air defense of Libya have been disabled, the forces of Qaddafi is no longer advance and in places like the city of Benghazi, a rebel stronghold, where Gaddafi has threatened to show "no mercy", his forces were repulsed.
"So do not get me wrong, because we acted quickly, a humanitarian disaster was averted and the lives of countless civilians - innocent men, women and children were rescued," Obama said in his weekly radio address .
Members of Congress - both the left and right - have criticized Obama for failing to disclose in detail the objectives of the military operation. Some have assailed for failing to seek congressional approval for the action, others to embark on another military mission in a Muslim country where the U.S. is already suffering from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan .
Obama said that the role of U.S. forces has been limited in what he described as "a vast international effort." He reiterated that no U.S. ground forces would be in Libya.
Obama will also address the Americans in a speech Monday night to discuss the mission in Libya.