NATO stays with air power over Libya
Source: Agencies |
August 24, 2011, Wednesday
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NATO said yesterday the Libyan capital of Tripoli remains very dangerous and the alliance will continue its operations over the country, bombing forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi if they keep fighting.
But spokesman Colonel Roland Lavoie said that pro-Gadhafi forces are severely degraded and losing strength through desertions and defections.
"Our military mission has not changed. It remains to protect the civilian population, enforce the no-fly zone and the arms embargo," he said. "We will conduct strikes wherever necessary to protect the population of Libya."
"The situation in Tripoli is still very serious and very dangerous," Lavoie said. "Snipers, shelling, missiles could do much damage, but they can't change the course of history or the outcome of this campaign."
In Brussels, NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said NATO might play a role in Libya in the post-Gadhafi period.
"NATO is willing to help in a supporting role if needed and if requested," Lungescu said.
Earlier, France's Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said he hoped NATO's air operation over Libya would end "as soon as possible" - once rebel fighters topple Gadhafi and his forces for good. He said France and Britain were responsible for 75 to 80 percent of NATO air operations over Libya in recent months.
But Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, speaking during a visit to the rebel stronghold of Benghazi, said air operations would continue until security in the country was fully restored.
"What is important is that Libya's territorial integrity be secured," Davutoglu said in reference to the alliance's air campaign in Libya.
NATO warplanes have flown nearly 20,000 flights over Libya and carried out 7,500 strike sorties.
But spokesman Colonel Roland Lavoie said that pro-Gadhafi forces are severely degraded and losing strength through desertions and defections.
"Our military mission has not changed. It remains to protect the civilian population, enforce the no-fly zone and the arms embargo," he said. "We will conduct strikes wherever necessary to protect the population of Libya."
"The situation in Tripoli is still very serious and very dangerous," Lavoie said. "Snipers, shelling, missiles could do much damage, but they can't change the course of history or the outcome of this campaign."
In Brussels, NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said NATO might play a role in Libya in the post-Gadhafi period.
"NATO is willing to help in a supporting role if needed and if requested," Lungescu said.
Earlier, France's Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said he hoped NATO's air operation over Libya would end "as soon as possible" - once rebel fighters topple Gadhafi and his forces for good. He said France and Britain were responsible for 75 to 80 percent of NATO air operations over Libya in recent months.
But Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, speaking during a visit to the rebel stronghold of Benghazi, said air operations would continue until security in the country was fully restored.
"What is important is that Libya's territorial integrity be secured," Davutoglu said in reference to the alliance's air campaign in Libya.
NATO warplanes have flown nearly 20,000 flights over Libya and carried out 7,500 strike sorties.
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