NATO set to take command of Libya campaign

[cbayer]

Source: AFP

By Laurent Thomet (AFP) – 58 minutes ago

BRUSSELS — NATO looked set to agree Sunday to take command of military operations against Moamer Kadhafi as France fights to keep political control in the hands of the US-led "coalition of the willing".

Ambassadors from the 28-nation alliance gathered at 1600 GMT to mull military plans for a transfer nailed down only after long days of fraught talks, over objections raised by France and Turkey.

Pressed by Western powers, notably the United States and Italy, to take the helm as swiftly as possible, the alliance was expected to give a thumbs up, possibly approving and activating immediate engagement, NATO sources said.

A three-month plan agreed by NATO military authorities strictly limits ground strikes to protecting civilians and populated areas, diplomats told AFP.

more at link

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5ixzREC3oAwrajICHFJlNGRdb8qpA?docId=CNG.82fce0d1e069b2865b114176f57c0264.661

[David__77]

1. Hopefully this curtails the very extensive bombing.

...

[msongs]

2. USA needs to totally withdraw all support for this effort now that NATO is in charge nt

[cbayer]

3. Update: NATO to take over Libya operations

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2011/03/201132720844213695.html

NATO is to assume full command of operations in Libya from the US-led force that has been conducting air attacks against the forces of Muammar Gaddafi, Libya's leader.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO's secretary general, announced the agreement on Sunday following a meeting in Brussels.

"We have directed NATO's top operational commander to begin executing this operation with immediate effect," he said in a statement.

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



More at link

[ClarkUSA]

4. Never doubted it.

:kick: