NATO allies agree to enforce arms embargo against Libya

2011-03-22 21:57:10 GMT+7 (ICT)

BRUSSELS (BNO NEWS) -- NATO allies on Tuesday agreed to enforce an arms embargo against Libya under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, but have not yet agreed to help enforce the no-fly zone.

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said all NATO allies are 'committed to meet their responsibilities' under the UN resolution. "NATO has now decided to launch an operation to enforce the arms embargo against Libya," he said.

Rasmussen added that NATO Operational Commander Admiral Stavridis is activating NATO ships and aircraft in the Central Mediterranean to enforce the no-fly zone. "They will conduct operations to monitor, report and, if needed, interdict vessels suspected of carrying illegal arms or mercenaries," he added.

The NATO Secretary General said the enforcement of the arms embargo will be done in close coordination with commercial shipping and regional organizations. "And we welcome contributions from NATO partners to our common endeavour," he said.

However, NATO allies have yet to reach an agreement to enforce the more controversial no-fly zone on Libya. "NATO has completed plans to help enforce the no-fly zone -- to bring our contribution, if needed, in a clearly defined manner, to the broad international effort to protect the people of Libya from the violence of the Gaddafi regime," Rasmussen said.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-03-22

I wonder if Turkey will send a ship load of peaceniks and Hezbollah to break the blockade?