Libya was strongly affected by the Arab Spring . Anti-government protests broke out in Benghazi , Libya , in February 2011 , and the Gaddafi government responded with military force . The Obama administration initially resisted calls to take strong action but relented after the Arab League requested Western intervention in Libya . In March 2011 , international reaction to Gaddafi 's military crackdown culminated in a United Nations resolution to enforce a no fly zone in Libya . Obama authorized U.S. forces to participate in international air attacks on Libyan air defenses using Tomahawk cruise missiles to establish the protective zone . The intervention was led by NATO , but Sweden and three Arab nations also participated in the mission . With coalition support , the rebels took Tripoli the following August . The Libyan campaign culminated in the toppling of the Gaddafi regime , but Libya experienced turmoil in the aftermath of the civil war . Obama 's intervention in Libya provoked criticism from members of Congress and ignited a debate over the applicability of the War Powers Resolution . In September 2012 , Islamic militants attacked the American consulate in Benghazi , killing Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans . Republicans strongly criticized the Obama administration 's handling of the Benghazi attack , and established a select committee in the House to investigate the attack . After his presidency , Obama acknowledged his " worst mistake " of his presidency was being unable to anticipate the aftermath of ousting Gaddafi
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2012 Benghazi attack
Presidency of Barack Obama