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Libya conflict: Nato extends mission by 90 days | Libya conflict: Nato extends mission by 90 days |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Nato has extended its mission in Libya by a further 90 days. | Nato has extended its mission in Libya by a further 90 days. |
The move was unanimously agreed by the ambassadors of Nato's 28 member states meeting in Brussels. | |
"We are determined to continue our operation to protect the people of Libya," said Nato Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. | "We are determined to continue our operation to protect the people of Libya," said Nato Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. |
The announcement came as Libyan Oil Minister Shukhri Ghanem confirmed reports that he had defected to the rebels. | |
His defection was first reported on 17 May, when Tunisian officials said he had crossed into their country, but his whereabouts were a mystery for several days. | |
"I left the country and decided also to leave my job and to join the choice of Libyan youth to create a modern constitutional state respecting human rights and building a better future for all Libyans," he said at a news conference in Rome. | |
Mr Ghanem is the highest-ranking figure to defect since former Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa fled to the UK in March. | |
Civilian casualties | Civilian casualties |
The Libyan mission was mandated by the United Nations, and led by France, Britain and the US until 31 March, when Nato took over. | |
It was given an initial 90 days, which would have run out on 27 June. | |
Aside from Nato members, the talks at alliance headquarters included ambassadors from the five non-Nato countries participating in the Libya campaign - Jordan, Qatar, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates and Morocco. | |
The decision was practical in part - to accommodate the military planners of the contributing forces. | |
But correspondents say it also aims to send a message to Libyans who have for the past three months been trying to topple Col Muammar Gaddafi after more than four decades of autocratic rule. | But correspondents say it also aims to send a message to Libyans who have for the past three months been trying to topple Col Muammar Gaddafi after more than four decades of autocratic rule. |
"Nato, our partners, the whole international community, stand with you," said Mr Fogh Rasmussen. | "Nato, our partners, the whole international community, stand with you," said Mr Fogh Rasmussen. |
"We stand united to make sure that you can shape your own future. And that day is getting closer." | "We stand united to make sure that you can shape your own future. And that day is getting closer." |
The Nato chief told a news conference: "The question is not if Gaddafi will go but when. It could take some time yet but it could also happen tomorrow." | The Nato chief told a news conference: "The question is not if Gaddafi will go but when. It could take some time yet but it could also happen tomorrow." |
Critics of the Nato mission say it has reached a stalemate. | Critics of the Nato mission say it has reached a stalemate. |
Some of those who went along with the original vote at the UN Security Council - notably Russia - are alarmed that a mission designed to protect civilians from forces loyal to Col Gaddafi has drifted towards deposing his regime altogether. | Some of those who went along with the original vote at the UN Security Council - notably Russia - are alarmed that a mission designed to protect civilians from forces loyal to Col Gaddafi has drifted towards deposing his regime altogether. |
The Libyan authorities claim that - far from protecting civilians - the Nato air raids have already killed 700 of them; a claim Nato dismisses. | The Libyan authorities claim that - far from protecting civilians - the Nato air raids have already killed 700 of them; a claim Nato dismisses. |