WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama twice authorized the military to rescue a U.S. captain held by Somali pirates and whose life appeared to be at risk, administration official said hours after Sunday’s rescue.
The Defense Department twice asked Obama for permission to use military force to rescue Capt. Richard Phillips from a lifeboat off the Somali coast, most recently late Friday evening. On Saturday morning, Obama signed off on the Pentagon’s request, as he had a day earlier, said officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.
A senior administration official said the president’s order authorized force for a group of military assets that arrived at the scene late last week. When more resources arrived, Obama added them to a roster of military personnel allowed to engage militarily with the Somali pirates.
White House officials on Sunday said Obama received regular updates by phone and in person at the White House. The president was in the residence when officials called him to alert him the five-day standoff was over.
The White House soon released a statement praising Phillips’ behavior after his rescue Sunday, and noting that more must be done to prevent future attacks along the lawless African coast, where other ships remain under pirate control.
To that end, White House officials say the Justice Department is looking at evidence and considering whether to file criminal charges against a Somali pirate captured during the standoff.
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