NATO delays formal decision to end Libya mission

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NATO delays formal decision to end Libya mission

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NATO unexpectedy postponed a definite decision to end its bombing campaign in Libya.

27 October,2011 04:40 am

Consultations continued Wednesday with the UN and the countrys interim government over how and when to wind down the operation.Last week, the alliance announced preliminary plans to phase out its mission on Oct. 31. NATOs governing body the North Atlantic Council, or NAC was expected to formalize that decision Wednesday.Air patrols have continued in the meantime because some alliance members were concerned that a quick end to NATOs seven-month operation could lead to a resurgence in violence.On Wednesday, spokeswoman Carmen Romero said NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen was consulting with the United Nations and Libyas National Transitional Council.The NAC will meet with partners on Friday to discuss our Libya mission and take a formal decision, she said, adding that there was an ongoing process in the UN Security Council.US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Tuesday during a visit to Japan that some of Libyas leaders had called for NATO to continue its mission during this interim as they try to establish some new governance.But a NATO official, who could not be identified under standing rules, said the alliance had not received any formal request from the Libyas transitional government to prolong its air and naval patrols past the end of the month.NATOs 26,000 sorties, including 9,600 strike missions, destroyed about 5,900 military targets since they started on March 31. These included Libyas air defenses and more than 1,000 tanks, vehicles and guns, as well as Gaddafis command and control networks.The daily airstrikes enabled the rebels ragtag forces to advance and take Tripoli two months ago. On Sunday, Libyas interim rulers declared the country liberated, launching the oil-rich nation on what is meant to be a two-year transition to democracy.