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NATO Takes Over No-Fly Zone in Libya

But that's all for now

By the Associated Press

Posted Mar 24, 2011 4:57 PM CDT | Updated Mar 24, 2011 6:12 PM CDT

(AP) – After days of hard bargaining among its members, NATO agreed late today to enforce the no-fly zone over Libya—but not other military operations yet. The agreement, announced in Brussels by the alliance's secretary-general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, will allow the United States to hand over command and control of part of the international operation, as it has been eager to do. But it appeared that some NATO members balked at supervising attacks on targets on the ground.

"At this moment there will still be a coalition operation and a NATO operation," Fogh Rasmussen said. "But we are considering whether NATO should take on the broader responsibility." Hillary Clinton said it was just a matter of time. She said the alliance eventually would protect Libyan civilians, enforce the UN arms embargo, and support humanitarian aid efforts. "All 28 allies have also now authorized military authorities to develop an operations plan for NATO to take on the broader civilian protection mission."

A Libyan rebel chants slogans as he takes part in a march to support the international coalition in Benghazi. (Getty Images)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 17 comments

DontLikeYou

Mar 24, 2011 11:49 PM CDT

Humanitarian? Bah. Why are we not in Darfur? The West is lacking leadership. Our ship is drifting.

n230099

Mar 24, 2011 8:07 PM CDT

Yeah, that's brave. They announced the other day that the Libyan airforce is destroyed.

atbo

Mar 24, 2011 7:33 PM CDT

"But it appeared that some NATO members balked at supervising attacks on targets on the ground." Man this pisses me off. I don't think we should be in Libya, but the U.N. voted for the no-fly-zone. So we, America, go in, get the ball rolling and when it's time to hand it off, NATO doesn't want to do the dirty work. Ok I see, U.N. votes for it, but America, the hated one, has to provide the military force and get blamed for all the civilians that were accidentally injured or killed. FUCK THE UN AND NATO! They are a bunch of whimps. And let's not forget the cost of all this. I'm sure NATO is just fine with the fact that all that ordinance we're dropping on Libya costs us money and not them.

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Hillary Clinton • NATO • Nicolas Sarkozy • Libya • Libya no-fly zone

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NATO Takes Over No-Fly Zone in Libya

But that's all for now

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Hillary Clinton • NATO • Nicolas Sarkozy • Libya • Libya no-fly zone

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More Newser Stories

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Missiles hit civilians twice in less than a week

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Outgoing defense secretary says US picking up tab for Europe's defense

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