Responding to the ongoing crisis in Libya, NATO Allies decided on 24 March to enforce the no-fly zone over Libya. This is in response to the decisions of the United Nations Security Council.
All NATO Allies are committed to fulfill their obligations under the UN resolution. The purpose of the no-fly zone is to prevent any air attacks on civilians or populated areas by closing Libyan airspace.
NATO is taking action as part of the broad international effort and looks forward to working with its partners in the region.
At this point, there is still a coalition operation and a NATO operation but NATO is currently considering whether it should take on a broader responsibility in accordance with the UN Security Council resolution.
Through the chain of command NATO and the Coalition will ensure close coordination and de-confliction.
Background and timeline
Following the popular uprising which began in Benghazi on 17 February 2011, the United Nations (UN) Security Council adopted Resolution 1970. This institutes an arms embargo, freezes the personal assets of Libya's leaders and imposes a travel ban on senior figures.
On 8 March, with international concern over the Libyan crisis growing, NATO stepped up its surveillance operations in the Central Mediterranean, deploying AWACS aircraft to provide round-the-clock observation. These "eyes in the sky" give NATO detailed information of movements in Libyan airspace.
On 10 March, NATO Defence Ministers supported SACEUR's decision to have alliance ships move to the same area to boost the monitoring effort.
On 17 March, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1973, authorising member states and regional organisations to, inter alia, take "all necessary measures" to protect civilians in Libya.
On 22 March, NATO responded to the UN call by launching an operation to enforce the arms embargo against Libya. On 23 March, NATO's arms embargo operation started.
NATO ships and aircraft are operating in the Central Mediterranean to make sure that the flow of weapons to Libya by sea is cut off. They have the right to stop and search any vessel they suspect of carrying arms or mercenaries.
The NATO ships will not enter Libyan territorial waters. NATO has no intention of deploying land forces anywhere in Libyan territory.
Source
Showing posts with label NATO. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NATO. Show all posts
Friday, March 25, 2011
NATO Secretary General's statement on Libya no-fly zone
NATO Allies have now decided to enforce the no-fly zone over Libya.
24 Mar. 2011
We are taking action as part of the broad international effort to protect civilians against the attacks by the Gaddafi regime. We will cooperate with our partners in the region and welcome their contributions.
All NATO Allies are committed to fulfill their obligations under the UN resolution. That is why we have decided to assume responsibility for the no-fly zone.
At this moment there will still be a coalition operation and a NATO operation but we are considering whether NATO should take on a broader responsibility in accordance with the UN Security Council resolution. But that decision has not been made yet.
Through the chain of command NATO and the Coalition will ensure close coordination and de-confliction.
Reporter: Mr. Secretary, there has been a lot of concern about civilian casualties and it's been mentioned that ... it was a particular concern to Turkey. Could you tell us about some of the deliberations you had in the Council?
NATO Secretary-General Rasmussen: No, we have had very very positive deliberations. It is of utmost importance to get this right. It's a serious decision, and this is the reason why we have spent some time to reach this conclusion, but compared to the past we have actually done it quite quickly.
Associated Press: Secretary-General, has NATO agreed to take on the responsibilities in this No-Fly Zone, including on continuing the bombing campaign started by the international coalition?
NATO Secretary-General Rasmussen: What we have decided tonight is to take the responsibility for enforcing the No-Fly Zone with the aim to protect the civilian population, and the mandate doesn't go beyond that, of course we can act in self-defence, but what we will do is to enforce the No-Fly Zone and ensure that we protect the civilian population.
Oana Lungescu (NATO Spokesperson): Thank you very much. Another one? One last question.
Reporter: Does that mean that if members of the so-called coalition, say France, would like to strike against troops of Ghadaffi's moving in on civilian targets, that would be part of the mission that NATO overtakes at this moment?
NATO Secretary-General Rasmussen: At this moment, there will still be a coalition operation and a NATO operation. But we are considering whether NATO should take on that broader responsibility in accordance with the UN Security Council resolution, but that decision has not been made yet.
Reporter: How do you coordinate then between the coalition and NATO forces for the No-Fly Zone?
NATO Secretary-General Rasmussen: That would take place through the chain of command and we will ensure close coordination and deconfliction.
Oana Lungescu: And with that thank you very much and a very good night.
Source
24 Mar. 2011
We are taking action as part of the broad international effort to protect civilians against the attacks by the Gaddafi regime. We will cooperate with our partners in the region and welcome their contributions.
All NATO Allies are committed to fulfill their obligations under the UN resolution. That is why we have decided to assume responsibility for the no-fly zone.
At this moment there will still be a coalition operation and a NATO operation but we are considering whether NATO should take on a broader responsibility in accordance with the UN Security Council resolution. But that decision has not been made yet.
Through the chain of command NATO and the Coalition will ensure close coordination and de-confliction.
Reporter: Mr. Secretary, there has been a lot of concern about civilian casualties and it's been mentioned that ... it was a particular concern to Turkey. Could you tell us about some of the deliberations you had in the Council?
NATO Secretary-General Rasmussen: No, we have had very very positive deliberations. It is of utmost importance to get this right. It's a serious decision, and this is the reason why we have spent some time to reach this conclusion, but compared to the past we have actually done it quite quickly.
Associated Press: Secretary-General, has NATO agreed to take on the responsibilities in this No-Fly Zone, including on continuing the bombing campaign started by the international coalition?
NATO Secretary-General Rasmussen: What we have decided tonight is to take the responsibility for enforcing the No-Fly Zone with the aim to protect the civilian population, and the mandate doesn't go beyond that, of course we can act in self-defence, but what we will do is to enforce the No-Fly Zone and ensure that we protect the civilian population.
Oana Lungescu (NATO Spokesperson): Thank you very much. Another one? One last question.
Reporter: Does that mean that if members of the so-called coalition, say France, would like to strike against troops of Ghadaffi's moving in on civilian targets, that would be part of the mission that NATO overtakes at this moment?
NATO Secretary-General Rasmussen: At this moment, there will still be a coalition operation and a NATO operation. But we are considering whether NATO should take on that broader responsibility in accordance with the UN Security Council resolution, but that decision has not been made yet.
Reporter: How do you coordinate then between the coalition and NATO forces for the No-Fly Zone?
NATO Secretary-General Rasmussen: That would take place through the chain of command and we will ensure close coordination and deconfliction.
Oana Lungescu: And with that thank you very much and a very good night.
Source
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