US President Barack Obama said today that the United States and its coalition partners were "prepared to act" in Libya if there is not an immediate end to violence against civilians.

"The people of Libya must be protected and in the absence of an immediate end to the violence against civilians, our coalition is prepared to act and act with urgency," Obama said.

He spoke at an appearance with Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff at the start of a visit to Latin America overshadowed by the conflict in Libya.

Brazil was one of five countries that abstained from the UN Security Council's vote on the resolution authorizing the use of "all necessary measures" to protect Libyan civilians against strongman Muammar Gaddafi's forces.

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