NATO Struggles to Define Libya Role as U.S. Prepares Strikes

[tekisui]

Source: Bloomberg

NATO members failed to agree on an expanded role in Libya, as squabbles prevented the U.S. from handing off command of the campaign against leader Muammar Qaddafi.

The 28-member bloc has yet to find the formula to balance military needs and political sensitivities in the five-day-old operation. France is resisting overall NATO command to encourage more involvement by Arab countries.

“These are difficult discussions on very difficult issues,” alliance spokeswoman Oana Lungescu told reporters in Brussels today. “NATO is ready to act if and when required.”

(snip)

“It paints a pretty bad picture of the political dynamics,” Bastian Giegerich, a consulting fellow at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, said in an interview. “Normally the U.S. is the first among equals in NATO, but with the Americans stepping back it makes it more difficult to create consensus.”

more: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-23/nato-members-fail-to-agree-on-libya-role-as-france-seeks-arab-involvement.html

______________________________

They better get this sorted out soon so the US isn't left holding this.

[displacedvermoter]

1. And if they don't???

[Amonester]

2. "They better get this sorted out soon so the US isn't left holding this."

X-actly.

[Baclava]

3. I say WE bail out first and let the "Coalition of the not-so-willing" handle it.

(That quote was Rachel's banner last night - talking about the Arab League, I believe)