CNN 2011-03-04

Thanks to Mr. Prichard's students for that amazing introduction. Thanks to all of you for checking out this Wednesday edition of CNN Student News. I am Carl Azuz. Let's get going.

First up, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the country of Libya is at a crossroads: could become a peaceful democracy; could face a drawn-out civil war. Right now, the situation is tense. There were reports that forces that are loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi tried to regain 1 control of a town near the capital that's under the control of people who are against Colonel Gadhafi. The attempt was unsuccessful. But an official close to Gadhafi denied this even happened.

In fact, during an interview with ABC News, Gadhafi denied using any force against his own people. He even denied the existence of any protests against his government at all. Obviously, something is going on in Libya. The question a lot of people are asking is, will the U.S. get involved, and how? Jill Dougherty looks at some of the options.

The U.S. calls it a reign 2 of violence by Colonel Moammar Gadhafi and his cohorts, and it's setting in motion a range of options to stop it.

Nothing is off the table so long as the Libyan government continues to threaten and kill Libyan citizens.

The administration already is taking steps to help the thousands of Libyans fleeing the bloodshed. Refugees are crossing the borders into neighboring countries of Egypt and Tunisia, nations that themselves have just undergone their own revolutions.

We are dispatching two expert humanitarian 3 teams to Tunisia and to Egypt.

The U.S., along with other countries, is bracing 4 for rescue missions, preparing medical and food supplies. Blocking funds that Gadhafi could use to continue his violent crackdown, the Treasury 5 Department has frozen at least $30 billion in Libyan government assets, the largest amount ever blocked, it says, under a sanctions program.

Gadhafi has lost the legitimacy 6 to govern, and it is time for him to go without further violence or delay.

The U.S. ambassador is reaching out to opposition 7 groups in Libya, assessing who might lead up a post-Gadhafi government. But some senators tell CNN the U.S. should help the rebels directly.

No-fly zones, recognition of the revolutionary government -- the citizens' government -- and support for them with both humanitarian assistance, and I would provide them with arms.

Administration officials say it's way too early to talk about arming the opposition, but they are considering the idea of a no-fly zone. A former State Department legal adviser 8, however, says that's complicated.

Legally, there is no authority for the United States or other countries to do that under international law unless authorized 9 by the Security Council. And politically, that could be quite problematic as well for the United States or NATO, to begin shooting down Libyan aircraft, even in the face of the things that Gadhafi is doing against his own nationals.