EU Australia Online - News & information from the capital of Europe direct to Australian businesses
«
»

Libyan Action Consolidated Under NATO

  • March 28th, 2011
  • Posted by EUEditor

military-aircraftorg.jpegNATO is to go further and take over all aspects of the allied military operation in Libya.

“VERY SIGNIFICANT STEP”

Ambassadors making up the governing body, the NATO Council, decided in Brussels, 27.3.11, to extend its joint command so it covers policing of the embargo on shipments of arms; the no-fly zone over the country together with the air strikes against forces of the Gaddafi government, and a protective watch on humanitarian operations.

rasmussen-7311.jpgThe Secretary General of NATO, Anders Fogh Rasmussen (picture), said:

“NATO Allies have decided to take on the whole military operation in Libya under the United Nations Security Council Resolution.

“Our goal is to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under threat of attack from the Gaddafi regime.

“NATO will implement all aspects of the UN Resolution; nothing more, nothing less.

“This is a very significant step, which proves NATO’s capability to take decisive action.

“In the past week, we have put together a complete package of operations in support of the United Nations Resolution by sea and by air.

“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 coordination with our international and regional partners to protect the people of Libya.

“We have directed NATO’s top operational Commander to begin executing this operation with immediate effect.”

OPPOSITION GAINS

Insurrectionist forces have made gains in the last week in Libya, since the NATO bomb attacks began, regaining oil ports and other towns along the coast, as they drive Westwards from their strong-points, towards the capital, Tripoli.

A spokesman for the Gaddafi regime blamed the allied powers for “hatred” and conflict in Libya, saying it would end up “in misery,  just like Iraq.”

A conference of 35 countries is to convene in London to discuss the Libyan situation this week.

Talk has emerged in Europe of a possible deal involving a peaceful surrender and exile for Muammar al-Gaddafi, maybe in Italy.

Yet, an invitation to the man who likes to be surrounded by women, to come over for some “bunga-bunga” times, must be unlikely: he was referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity, by the United Nations Security Council at the end of last month.

Reference

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, The Secretary General of NATO, “Statement on Libya”, (Press release 2011-036), North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, Brussels, 27.3.11.