Statement by Secretary Clinton and Secretary Panetta on Wounded Libyan Fighters Receiving U.S. Medical Care
October 27, 2011

After months of struggle and sacrifice, the Libyan people have liberated their country with the support of the United States and the international community. The violent dictator and his regime have collapsed. But Libya’s new freedom has come at a price in human life and suffering. Just as the United States and the international community stood with the Libyan people during the revolution, we continue to work with Libya to address urgent humanitarian needs.

Saturday, in response to a request by the Transitional National Council, the United States is transporting 24 seriously wounded fighters to Spaulding Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. An additional six critical cases will be transferred to Germany for immediate care. All of these patients were injured as a result of recent fighting and suffer from conditions that cannot currently be treated in Libya.

The United States offers this humanitarian gesture of emergency medical evacuation assistance as a small token of our support, because we are committed to Libya’s future. We will continue to stand by the people of Libya and support them as a partner and friend as they build a new, democratic future.