NATO formally endorses extension of Libya's operation

NATO formally endorses extension of Libya's operation

2011-06-09 00:56:07 GMT+7 (ICT)

BRUSSELS (BNO NEWS) -- The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on Wednesday formally endorsed the extension of the Operation Unified Protector in Libya for further 90 days.

"NATO will stay the course and will keep up the pressure for as long as it takes to bring this crisis to an early conclusion," said NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

NATO Defense Ministers and the Defense Ministers of the partner countries contributing to the mission in Libya met this day. All Ministers endorsed the decision to extend the operation.

"Everyone at the table agreed. We have made clear progress, we have prevented a massacre, we have preserved innocent lives, and we have prepared the ground for a political settlement," added the NATO Secretary General.

Also in the meeting, the ministers called for initiating immediate and longer term post-conflict period plans and urged participation from other key organizations, including the United Nations, the European Union, the League of Arab States and the African Union.

"NATO stands ready to play a role, if requested and if necessary, in support of post-conflict efforts that should be initiated by the United Nations and the Contact Group on Libya," said Rasmussen

The Secretary General remarked that NATO will not seek a leading role in a post-conflict Libya. Secretary General. Libya has been engulfed in a civil war since an uprising against Muammar Gaddafi's regime began in mid-February.

Libyan forces have been accused of violently cracking down on anti-government protesters. NATO took control of foreign military operations in Libya on March 31 under the UN Security Council Resolution 1973, which authorizes member states to take 'all necessary measures' to protect civilians.

The decision to extend NATO's operation in the troubled African country was first announced by Rasmussen on June 1. The ongoing civil war between rebels and forces loyal to Gaddafi has so far claimed at least 2,000 lives since unrest began.

Other estimates put the death toll from all sides, including civilians, at up to 10,000. An estimated 615,000 people have fled the country so far, with more than 10,000 evacuated from the troubled city of Misrata.

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