Nato will enforce no-fly zone in Libya

Nato countries have agreed to take over some of the military operations in Libya.

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Brussels - Nato countries agreed on Thursday to enforce a no-fly zone in Libya to protect civilians against Muammar Gaddafi's forces, but fell short of taking full command of all military operations in the North African state.

Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told reporters after four days of gruelling negotiations that the US-led military alliance's mandate did not extend beyond enforcing an arms embargo and the no-fly zone, although Nato could also act in self-defence.

Turkey's foreign minister said earlier that Nato would take over command of all coalition military operations in Libya from the United States.

Asked whether Nato would be able to strike at ground forces or take action against Gaddafi, Rasmussen said: “At this moment, there will still be a coalition operation and a Nato operation.”

He added that talks were continuing on giving Nato a broader role, “but that decision has not been made yet”. In the meantime, there would be close co-ordination to avoid conflicts.

Nato officials said a decision was expected to be taken on Sunday whether to broaden the mandate to allow it to take command of all military operations and allow it to attack ground targets to protect civilian areas under threat from Gaddafi's forces.

Nato officials said alliance operations to enforce the no-fly zone were expected to get under way in 48-72 hours.

Earlier, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told reporters: “The operation will be transferred completely to Nato and there will be a single command and control.”

His comments came after a four-way telephone conference between US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the foreign ministers of Turkey, France and Britain.

US Vice Admiral Bill Gortney said in Washington that the United States was working very hard to hand over leadership of the coalition to another entity, possibly as early as this weekend.

Ambassadors agreed to initiate military planning for a no-drive zone to protect civilians in addition to the no-fly zone, diplomats said, but that would require a further political decision.

Earlier, Turkish leaders had cast new suspicions on the motives behind Western intervention in Libya, suggesting action was driven by oil and mineral wealth rather than a desire to protect civilians from Muammar Gaddafi's forces. - Reuters

Source: http://www.iol.co.za/nato-will-enforce-no-fly-zone-in-libya-1.1046942

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