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NATO airstrikes in Libya "practically over," Italy says
Oct 5, 2011, 16:48 GMT
Brussels - NATO's airstrikes on Libyan targets are 'practically over,' Italian Defence Minister Ignazio La Russa said in Brussels on Wednesday, although he warned that 'the need to stay alert remains.'
The National Transitional Council has established control over most of the country, but forces loyal to fugitive leader Moamer Gaddafi have two remaining strongholds in Bani Walid and Sirte.
'The mission is nearly over, but the 'nearly' remains,' La Russa said on the margins of a meeting with NATO counterparts in Brussels.
'The need to stay alert remains, but to be honest air missions are practically over. I think we only had one in recent days,' he added.
La Russa said Gaddafi's arrest was 'not indispensable' to NATO ending hostilities. 'What is indispensable is for him to no longer be able to harm Libyan citizens and the security of the country.'
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