While the United States is denying it is attempting to assassinate Libyan leader Col. Muammar Gaddafi, allied forces bombed his compound for the second night in a row.

**International Community Divided on Libya Intervention, Obama Defends Use of Force**

There appears to be a growing split within the international community over the air strikes in Libya by the U.S. and allied forces. Brazil, India and China have called for the attacks to stop. Italy is calling for the military operation to continue, but under the control of NATO. Meanwhile, there appears to be growing confusion between the United States, Britain and France over the mission. During his trip to Chile, President Obama defended his decision to use force.

President Barack Obama: *“But the core principle that has to be upheld here is that when the entire international community, almost unanimously, says that there’s a potential humanitarian crisis about to take place, that a leader who has lost his legitimacy decides to turn his military on his own people, that we can’t simply stand by with empty words, that we have to take some sort of action.”*

**Four Children Killed as Pro-Gaddafi Forces Continue Attacks**

Despite the allied forces’ air strikes to impose a no-fly zone over Libya, forces loyal to Col. Muammar Gaddafi are continuing to carry out ground attacks on rebel fighters. Four children reportedly died when Gaddafi’s forces shelled the city of Misurata.

**Obama Criticized for Failing to Consult Congress on Libya Attacks**

President Obama is coming under criticism from several Democratic and Republican lawmakers for failing to consult Congress before Obama sent U.S. warplanes to attack Libya. Obama did not officially notify Congress until Monday—two days after the attack began. Jim Webb, the Democratic Senator from Virginia and former U.S. Navy Secretary, told MSNBC that Obama’s actions were not the way that the system is supposed to work.

Senator Jim Webb: *“We have been sort of on auto-pilot for almost 10 years from now in terms of presidential authority in conducting these type of military operations, absent the meaningful participation of the Congress. You know, we have not had a debate, and I know that there was some justification put into place because of concern for civilian casualties, but this isn’t the way that our system is supposed to work.”*

Meanwhile, Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio said President Obama may have committed an impeachable offense for not consulting Congress before the air strikes. Kucinich said that Obama’s actions were unconstitutional, according to the President’s own constitutional interpretation. In 2007, then-Senator Obama said, *”The President does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation.”*

**Over a Dozen Journalists Unaccounted for in Libya**

The Committee to Protect Journalists is reporting 13 journalists are either missing or reported to be in Libyan government custody. The list includes four journalists from Al Jazeera, two from Agence France-Presse, one from Getty Images and six Libyan journalists. On Monday, the Libyan government released four New York Times journalists, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Anthony Shadid. Since Libya’s revolt began in February, the Committee to Protect Journalists has documented more than 50 attacks on the press, including two fatalities.