Government falls, Nato names Canadian head of Libya operation

Nato named a three-star Canadian general the head of the alliance’s operations in Libya, Friday, as the country’s Prime Minister lost a vote of confidence in Parliament. The opposition censured Steven Harper’s coalition government for what it said was an abuse of power.

Reuters/Chris Wattie

Lieutenant-General Charles Bouchard was appointed to run Nato’s

operation to enforce a UN-mandated no-fly zone

and arms embargo against Libya, according to an official.

After days of talks, the decision was made to hand over to Nato ‘Operation Unified Protector’, which until now has been run by a US-led coalition. Bouchard will take command of the entire military campaign that was started six days ago by France, Britain and the US.

This comes as the Canadian parliament voted against the current government in a no-confidence motion presented by the main opposition Liberals and supported by the separatist Bloc Quebecois and leftist New Democrats.

The opposition voted 156 in favour, versus 145 against.

Liberals accused Harper’s Tory government of hiding details of its spending, as well as of breaking election laws.

Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff also accused a minister of forging documents and misleading Parliament.

The opposition-dominated Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs recommended last week that the government be held in contempt for not providing enough information on its plans for new prisons and fighter jets, saying that not doing so constitutes “contempt of Parliament".

Harper is expected to ask Governor-General David Johnston on Saturday to officially dissolve Parliament, and is expected to announce the date for elections, the fourth in seven years.