NATO Secretary General's statement on Libya no-fly zone

NATO secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen statement:

NATO Allies have now decided to enforce the no-fly zone over Libya.

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.

SCOOP EDITOR'S NOTE: Yesterday, NATO confirmed its warships and aircraft had started patrolling the approaches to Libya’s coast as part of Operation Unified Protector. Their mission is said to enforce the arms embargo called for in UN Security Council Resolution 1973.

Background:

Responding to the ongoing crisis in Libya, NATO is playing its part in implementing the decisions of the United Nations Security Council.

Following the popular uprising which began in Benghazi on 17 February 2011, the United Nations (UN) Security Council adopted Resolution 1970, which 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 ordered alliance ships to 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 take “all necessary measures” to protect civilians in Libya, and authorising them to enforce an arms embargo and a no-fly zone.

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 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.

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