NATO insists Libya mission is for civilians
Source: Agencies |
March 29, 2011, Tuesday
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NATO'S commander for Libya deflected suggestions yesterday that international airstrikes against Moammar Gadhafi's forces were essentially providing air cover for advancing rebels, insisting that NATO's mission is purely designed to protect civilians.
Lieutenant General Charles Bouchard of Canada told a press conference in Naples that the military alliance was in the process of taking over command from the United States-led operation after NATO's 28 members agreed on Sunday to the transition.
He declined to say how long it would take, saying it was complex and still being coordinated, though officials in Brussels have said it would be a few days.
International airstrikes have crippled Gadhafi's forces, allowing rebels to advance near his stronghold of Sirte after being on the brink of defeat.
The United Nations Security Council authorized countries to take all necessary measures to protect civilians. But critics have said the military campaign goes far beyond what was authorized.
Asked where NATO drew the line between protecting the civilians and aiding the rebels, Bouchard said his mission was clear: "Our goal is to protect and help the civilians and population centers under the threat of attack." He declined to elaborate on what his rules of engagement were or how he reconciled NATO's stated mission not to take sides in the conflict, saying only that every decision was designed to limit civilian casualties.
In Brussels, NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu noted that the allied operation was launched in response to "the systematic attacks by Colonel Gadhafi against his own people." She noted that the transition from the US-led force to NATO command would last "a couple of days," and said nations were still assigning military units and equipment to NATO authority.
NATO is assuming full command of the operation as ministers from the alliance and countries outside it head to London today to coordinate strategy on Libya.
Meanwhile, rebels advanced towards Gadhafi's birthplace yesterday, streaming west along the main coastal road in pickup trucks mounted with machine guns.
Al Jazeera said the rebels had seized the town of Nawfaliyah from loyalist forces, extending their advance westwards towards Gadhafi's hometown of Sirte, about 120 kilometers away.
Lieutenant General Charles Bouchard of Canada told a press conference in Naples that the military alliance was in the process of taking over command from the United States-led operation after NATO's 28 members agreed on Sunday to the transition.
He declined to say how long it would take, saying it was complex and still being coordinated, though officials in Brussels have said it would be a few days.
International airstrikes have crippled Gadhafi's forces, allowing rebels to advance near his stronghold of Sirte after being on the brink of defeat.
The United Nations Security Council authorized countries to take all necessary measures to protect civilians. But critics have said the military campaign goes far beyond what was authorized.
Asked where NATO drew the line between protecting the civilians and aiding the rebels, Bouchard said his mission was clear: "Our goal is to protect and help the civilians and population centers under the threat of attack." He declined to elaborate on what his rules of engagement were or how he reconciled NATO's stated mission not to take sides in the conflict, saying only that every decision was designed to limit civilian casualties.
In Brussels, NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu noted that the allied operation was launched in response to "the systematic attacks by Colonel Gadhafi against his own people." She noted that the transition from the US-led force to NATO command would last "a couple of days," and said nations were still assigning military units and equipment to NATO authority.
NATO is assuming full command of the operation as ministers from the alliance and countries outside it head to London today to coordinate strategy on Libya.
Meanwhile, rebels advanced towards Gadhafi's birthplace yesterday, streaming west along the main coastal road in pickup trucks mounted with machine guns.
Al Jazeera said the rebels had seized the town of Nawfaliyah from loyalist forces, extending their advance westwards towards Gadhafi's hometown of Sirte, about 120 kilometers away.
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