Obama opposes sending troops to Libya

WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama still opposes sending US ground troops to Libya, Deputy White House Spokesman Josh Earnest said Monday.

Earnest said the president's position on the matter "has not changed." He made the statement at Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, where Obama is spending summer vacation with his family. He also said White House possesses no evidence that shows Muammar Gaddafi has left Tripoli.

Earlier in the day, Defense Department spokesman Dave Lapan said United States does not plan to send ground forces into Libya to assist in any international peacekeeping operations if Gaddafi' s rule ends. Lapan also said the Pentagon believes Gaddafi is still in Libya.

In a statement, Obama said it's clear that the Gaddafi regime is coming to an end, but the situation in Libya remains fluid and uncertain.