Libya: Nato takes full control of military operation

Nato to assume command from US – but transfer of authority from US-led force could take several days

guardian.co.uk, Associated Press and Reuters, Sunday 27 March 2011

Nato will have full control of military operations, officials said.
Photograph: Benoit Tessier/Reuters

Nato will take command of all aerial operations in Libya, officials have confirmed.

Ambassadors have approved a plan to expand the previously-agreed mission to enforce the UN arms embargo and no-fly zone by agreeing to protect civilians from attacks by Gaddafi's ground forces, a Nato diplomat said.

NATO HQ Brussels, Belgium

"Nato has decided to implement all aspects of the UN resolution 1973 to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under threat of attack from the Gaddafi regime," an official said after a meeting of the 28-member alliance.

The diplomat – who asked not to be identified because he was not authorised to speak to the media – said the transfer of authority from the US-led force may take a several days.

After eight days of strikes on Libyan targets, Washington is eager to give responsibility for air strikes to Nato.

A Nato diplomat said the decision meant Nato now had full control of all aspects of the operation, ending nearly a week of heated negotiations over the chain of command.

"Everything will now be under Nato," the diplomat said.

Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen
says the decision is a 'significant step'

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