BELGIUM/FILE: Libyan rebel delegation seeks continued support from NATO as operation heads into its fourth month of bombing campaign

Record ID: 721315

  • Title: BELGIUM/FILE: Libyan rebel delegation seeks continued support from NATO as operation heads into its fourth month of bombing campaign
  • Date: 14th July 2011
  • Summary: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (FILE) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION (NATO)
  • Embargoed: 29th July 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Belgium
  • Country: Belgium
  • Topics: Conflict,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA6UUWCAKS397CZM8O0Y05HQAL9
  • Story Text: NATO officials told the Libyan Transitional Council on Wednesday (July 13), that they would continue to implement the U.N. Security Council resolution on Libya, the no-fly zone, the arms embargo and also the "effective protection" of civilians but stressed the need for a political solution.
    The Libyan rebel delegation, led by Mahmoud Jebril of the opposition National Transitional Council (NTC), met NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the alliance headquarters in Brussels to discuss the military operation which is going into its fourth month.
    The NATO visit comes at a time of heightened speculation that the conflict could be moving towards an end-game.
    "We agreed on three things. First, that NATO's operations to protect civilians must continue. Gaddafi's forces are still threatening innocent people. And as long as that threat continues, we must continue to deal with it. Second, that the Gaddafi regime has lost all legitimacy. Third, that there has to be a political solution. Led by Libyans. Supported by the international community. And fulfilling the legitimate demands of the Libyan people," said the NATO chief after the meeting.
    The bombing is backed by a Security Council resolution authorising force to protect civilians, but Britain, France and the United States say they will not stop until Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi falls.
    As the NATO operation extends beyond 90 days, fissures have appeared in the coalition against Gaddafi, with Italy calling for a suspension to the bombing and U.S. officials complaining about the lack of European firepower.
    France recently became the first NATO member to openly acknowledge arming forces and said the move did not break a U.N. arms embargo because weapons were needed to defend civilians under threat.
    So far NATO has said they would not be involved in sending weapons to Libyan rebels trying to topple Gaddafi.
    The Libyan government held talks in Italy, Egypt and Norway with senior figures in the Libyan opposition about finding a peaceful way out of the conflict, but a Libyan government spokesman said it was not negotiating about Muammar Gaddafi giving up power.
  • Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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