Clinton: US ready to aid to Libyan opposition

WASHINGTON: Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says the U.S. is ``reaching out'' to Libyans trying to organize a post-Moammar Gadhafi government and is ``ready and prepared to offer any type of assistance.''

Two senators say the Obama administration should recognize a provisional government that seems to be taking shape in Libya's eastern half and offer military aid.

Clinton told reporters traveling with her to Geneva for a U.N. meeting Monday on Libya that ``we are just at the beginning of what will follow Gadhafi.''

She didn't say whether the U.S. might provide military aid. She also didn't mention the provisional government, but just referred to ``many different Libyans who are attempting to organize in the East.''

Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Connecticut independent Sen. Joe Lieberman tell CNN's ``State of the Union'' that the U.S. should recognize the fledgling opposition government and offer humanitarian aid and military arms.