Obama defends US military action in Libya

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is defending U.S. military involvement in Libya as part of America's responsibility as a world leader.

In a televised address to the nation tonight, Obama says he refused to be a president who waited for images of slaughter before taking action. He says, however, broadening the international mission to include regime change would have been a mistake.

The U.S. took the initial lead in the Western-led military action against Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's forces. Obama says the U.S. will transition control to NATO on Wednesday.

Obama says once that transfer occurs, the risk and cost to American taxpayers will be reduced significantly.