NATO assumes control of military operations in Libya

[News_Editor]

NATO assumes control of military operations in Libya

2011-03-28 05:11:14 GMT+7 (ICT)

BRUSSELS (BNO NEWS) -- NATO ambassadors on Sunday decided to take over command of all military operations in Libya "with immediate effect."

The BBC reported that Nato's Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said that the alliance will enforce "all aspects" of the UN resolution authorizing action to protect civilians.

Nato's plan to take responsibility for operations in Libya had already been agreed by military representatives of the 28 member states, but it needed ambassadors to provide political approval at a meeting in Brussels.

NATO allies agreed on Friday to enforce the UN-mandated no-fly zone over Libya, several days after NATO agreed to enforce an arms embargo against Libya. The members, however, could not agree on taking full command of all military operations in the country.

"We are already enforcing the arms embargo and the no-fly zone, and with today's decision we are going beyond. We will be acting in close co-ordination with our international and regional partners to protect the people of Libya," Rasmussen said in a communique.

"Nato will implement all aspects of the UN Resolution. Nothing more, nothing less," he added.

The BBC's Chris Morris reported there were disagreements notably between France and Turkey about political control of the mission, but they have now been resolved.

He added that the precise rules of engagement have not been revealed.

Meanwhile, Libyan rebels, taking advantage of the Western-led military strikes against Gaddafi, retook the eastern coastal towns of Ras Lanuf, Brega, Uqayla and Bin Jawad, only a day after seizing control of the strategic city of Ajdabiya.

Libyan officials say the strikes have killed nearly 100 civilians but this cannot be independently confirmed.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-03-28

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