NATO could continue embargo, recon flights once Libya conflict ends

Aug 31, 2011, 11:50 GMT

Brussels - NATO could continue enforcing a naval arms embargo and carry out reconnaissance flights over Libya once its military mission there is over, diplomats said Wednesday.

At a meeting in Brussels, NATO ambassadors agreed that the military alliance would be prepared to continue enforcing a naval arms embargo and provide jets for reconnaissance purposes, various sources indicated.

'The condition is that the new Libyan government wishes this (continued) presence,' one source said.

NATO would also be willing to draw up plans for the evacuation of any possible United Nations mission to Libya, should it ever get into trouble, diplomats said.

NATO has been conducting air raids, enforcing a naval embargo and policing a no-fly zone over Libya for five months. But after the rebels took over the capital Tripoli, it is now looking at wrapping up its mission.

NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said Tuesday: 'The mission will continue ... for as long as it's needed - but not a day longer. It looks as if we are nearly there, but we're not there yet.'

'Once NATO's job is done, it is for others to take over the lead in supporting Libya. We expect the United Nations to take the leading role,' she added, reiterating NATO's unwillingness to send 'troops on the ground.'

Options for NATO's future role were discussed a day before an international conference in Paris on the future of Libya. NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen is among the expected attendees.

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