(CNN) -- The NATO mission in Libya is on track, with pressure on leader Moammar Gadhafi mounting and the rebel forces growing stronger, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Saturday.
"We need to see this through, and we are in complete agreement that we will," she said, speaking alongside Spanish Foreign Minister Trinidad Jiminez in Madrid.
Asked about a threat by Gadhafi to take the war to Europe, in an audio message broadcast Friday, Clinton said: "Instead of issuing threats, Gadhafi should put the interests and well-being of his people first and should step down from power."
She urged him to help enable a transition to a democratic government.
Clinton hailed Spain for its contribution to enforcing the no-fly zone over Libya and an arms embargo on the country, describing Spain as "a valued partner and a trusted friend."
NATO began bombing military targets in Libya after the U.N. Security Council approved a resolution in March authorizing force by whatever means necessary, with the exception of a ground invasion, to protect civilians.
Gadhafi has so far resisted international pressure to step down.
"You are mistaken, you are involved in a battle that you don't know what you are going to face, so withdraw, and run away," he told a pro-government gathering in Tripoli, according to an audio message aired by state TV.
Gadhafi said he " is able in one day to move the battle to the Mediterranean, and able to move the battle to Europe."
He vowed vengeance for the NATO bombings, saying the Libyan military could be "like locusts, like bees" in Europe. Homes and offices could be potential targets, he said.
A State Department spokesman said the United States would take Gadhafi's remarks seriously, but added that the Libyan leader was "given to overblown rhetoric."
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