Michigan Rep. Mike Rogers said Monday that the fighting in Libya could usher in a new threat to U.S. security if terrorists access to chemical weapons and explosives in the country.
“We can be proud of the role the United States and its allies have played. Assertive action by the United States can make a critical difference in the struggle against dictatorship and oppression. But this is not over yet,” Mr. Rogers said in a statement.
“Even after Gadhafi is out of power, we will have to step up and lead to ensure U.S. national security interests are safeguarded. In particular, we must ensure that Gadhafi’s stockpiles of advanced weapons, chemical weapons and explosives don’t fall into the wrong hands,” he added.
“As it becomes increasingly apparent in Libya that the regime is falling apart, we must continue to act to protect our U.S. national security interests,” Mr. Rogers noted. “It is as important now as before.”
Concerns expressed by Mr. Rogers comes as fighting in Libya continues. A series of reports on Tuesday say rebel leaders have entered the capital city compound of Libyan strongman Muammar Qaddafi after reportedly pushing back his forces in Tripoli.
The chairman of the House Select Intelligence Committee was among a group of Republicans who supported U.S. involvement in a NATO mission to assist the rebels, calling for the ouster of the Libyan dictator after an opposition movement was crushed by military forces in the country.
