Gaddafi must step down, Obama tells Merkel

WASHINGTON/BERLIN - US President Barack Obama has told German Chancellor Angela Merkel that it was time for Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to step down.

The remarks came in a telephone call by Obama to discuss the situation in Libya with Merkel, statements by their offices said Saturday.

The White House said in a statement: “The president stated that when a leader’s only means of staying in power is to use mass violence against his own people, he has lost the legitimacy to rule and needs to do what is right for his country by leaving now.”

Both leaders agreed that Gaddafi has lost legitimacy and that his actions against civilian protesters must end, deputy government spokesman Christoph Steegmans said in Berlin.

They also reaffirmed support for the Libyan people and their demands for universal rights and a responsive government.

Merkel and Obama said they hoped sanctions could quickly be agreed upon in the UN Security Council, where a draft resolution was being discussed behind closed doors Saturday.