Nato to take command in Libya
Nato will take command of the international coalition’s military operations in Libya on Monday or Tuesday, said a diplomat in Brussels on Thursday. Several Nato allies, including Britain and Italy, had urged the 28-member alliance to take charge.
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The diplomat, who spoke to the AFP news agency on conditions of anonymity, said Nato countries were in agreement to launch final planning of the takeover.
The coalition forces, led by the U.S., Britain and France, are currently controlling Libyan airspace, with several countries providing additional fighter jets.
Despite the agreement of several Nato allies, Paris argued that flying the mission under Nato’s flag could potentially alienate Arab allies, already suspicious of the Western military.
Turkey, Nato’s only Muslim member, also objected to a Nato command of the UN-mandated no-fly zone.
Qatar is the only Arab nation who has joined the military campaign that began last weekend.
Nato envoys have been meeting in their headquarters in Brussels for several days to discuss the Libya conflict.
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