NATO allies agree to enforce no-fly zone over Libya

NATO allies agree to enforce no-fly zone over Libya

2011-03-25 15:28:07 GMT+7 (ICT)

BRUSSELS (BNO NEWS) -- NATO allies have agreed to enforce the UN-mandated no-fly zone over Libya, the alliance said on Friday, several days after NATO agreed to enforce an arms embargo against Libya.

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said its allies have finally agreed to enforce the no-fly zone after days of intense discussions. "We are taking action as part of the broad international effort to protect civilians against the attacks by the Gaddafi regime. We will cooperate with our partners in the region and welcome their contributions," he said.

Rasmussen said all NATO allies are "committed to fulfill their obligations" under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, which authorizes the establishment of a no-fly zone over Libya and calls to take "all necessary measures" to protect Libyan civilians from government-led attacks.

Earlier this week, Rasmussen said the alliance had agreed to enforce the arms embargo against Libya by deploying ships and aircraft in the Central Mediterranean. "They will conduct operations to monitor, report and, if needed, interdict vessels suspected of carrying illegal arms or mercenaries," he said.

Libya is currently in the midst of a civil war which has so far claimed at least 1,000 and as many as 10,000 lives. Government-led attacks have included aerial bombardments.

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