Rebels give 74 hrs for Gaddafi exit

To act or not to act: Washington torn.

Nearly three weeks after Libya erupted in what may now turn into a protracted civil war,the politics of military intervention to speed the ouster of Col Muammar Gaddafi grow more complicated by the day for both the White House and Republicans.

President Obama,appearing Monday morning with Australias Prime Minister,tried to raise the pressure on Gaddafi further by talking about a range of potential options,including potential military options against the embattled Libyan leader. Despite Obamas statement,interviews with military officials and administration officials describe a number of risks to US intervention in Libya.

Of most concern to the President himself,one high-level aide said,is the perception that the US would once again be meddling in West Asia,where it has overturned many a leader,including Saddam Hussein. He keeps reminding us that the best revolutions are completely organic, the senior official said,quoting the President. At the same time,there are persistent voices in Congress and even inside the administration arguing that Obama is moving too slowly. They contend that there is too much concern about perceptions,and that the White House is too squeamish because of Iraq.

The most vocal camp,led by Senators John McCain,the 2008 Republican nominee for president,and Joseph I Lieberman,the Connecticut independent and another hawk on Libyan intervention,say the central justification for establishing a no-fly zone over Libya is that the rebel leaders themselves are seeking military assistance to end decades of dictatorship. It is hardly an effort to impose American will in the Muslim world,Lieberman argued in an interview on Monday. We have to try and help those who are offering an alternative future to Libya, Lieberman said.DAVID E SANGER &

THOM SHANKER