Nato extends its mission in Libya

The UN mandate in Libya is enforced by the might of Nato’s 28 member states

Nato has extended its mission in Libya by a further 90 days.

The extension 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.

The mission was mandated by the United Nations, and led by France, Britain and the US until 31 March, when Nato took over.

The mission 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.

Libyan officials claim Nato air raids have already killed 700 civilians

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.

“We stand united to make sure that you can shape your own future. And that day is getting closer.”

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.

The Libyan authorities claim that – far from protecting civilians – the Nato air raids have already killed 700 of them; a claim Nato dismisses.

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