NATO takes sole control of Libya air operations

[ProSense]

NATO takes sole control of Libya air operations

By SLOBODAN LEKIC, Associated Press

BRUSSELS – NATO's chief said Thursday the alliance doesn't support U.S. and British suggestions that the U.N. mandate for the international military operation in Libya allows arming rebels who are fighting Moammar Gadhafi's troops.

NATO assumed command of all air operations over Libya early Thursday, taking over from the U.S., which had been eager to be rid of that responsibility. NATO Chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen told reporters in Stockholm that NATO's position is that "we are there to protect the Libyan people, not to arm the people."

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The operation is being commanded by Canadian Lt. Gen. Charles Bouchard from NATO's operational center in Naples, Italy. There was no word on how many airplanes and military staff would be involved, but officials say dozens of fighters, fighter-bombers, air refueling tankers, AWACS surveillance planes, maritime patrol aircraft and search-and-rescue helicopters will likely be required for the operation.

They will be based at a string of NATO bases along the Mediterranean, including Italy, France, Greece and Turkey.

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[tekisui]

1. What role, as a NATO member, will the US play, though?

Also, it is interesting that NATO doesn't support the US idea of arming the rebels. I wonder how they feel about CIA agents on the ground.

[David__77]

2. I wonder if this gives member states a certain "veto."

I know France was opposed to NATO taking over the whole thing. Could Turkey, say, exercise a role that would tend to restrain the strikes? I wonder this.