WASHINGTON — Most Americans say they support U.S. participation in a no-fly zone over Libya as a way to neutralize Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi’s air force, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll.
Support slips under 50 percent when it comes to more unilateral U.S. action, as Democrats and independents peel away. Under either scenario, about a quarter of all no-fly advocates turn into opponents when the specifics of the military action are detailed.
The results come at a time of widespread public pessimism about the long-term effect of the broader unrest in North Africa and the Middle East. Nearly six in 10 Americans think the political turbulence will do lasting damage to U.S. political and economic interests in the region. Almost half see it as hurting the country’s ability to fight terrorist groups there.
When it comes to Libya, 56 percent of those polled are supportive of the United States’ joining a new no-fly arrangement to prevent government air strikes on rebel groups. Support is slimmer (49 percent) for more independent U.S. action: using U.S. aircraft to create the no-fly zone.
In the poll, Republican support is 61 percent whether the question is U.S. participation in a no-fly zone or U.S. creation of one. While majorities of Democrats (57 percent) and independents (53 percent) favor American participation, support in both groups slumps when other countries’ backing is less clear.
When the military action is explained — the bombing of anti-aircraft positions and continuous air patrol — about a quarter of the no-fly advocates switch sides.
Forty-five percent say they approve of President Barack Obama’s handling of the situation in Libya, and 34 percent say they disapprove. Twenty- one percent say they have no opinion.
The telephone poll of 1,005 adults was conducted March 10-13. Results from the full poll have a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.
