From David Brunnstrom, Reuters:  NATO may have managed to do its job in Libya but the operation there has exposed weaknesses in capabilities of non-U.S. allies that need to be addressed, the head of NATO said on Monday. . . .

"This mission could not have been done without capabilities which only the United States can offer," the NATO secretary general [Anders Fogh Rasmussen] told a news conference. "For example: drones, intelligence and refuelling aircraft."

"More allies should be willing to obtain them. That is a real challenge. . . ."

Rasmussen said that despite constraints from defence cuts, such resources were vital for the security of all 28 NATO states and the alliance needed to agree on solutions to fill the gaps at the next NATO summit in Chicago in May. . . .

"As Libya showed, we can never tell where the next crisis will come from. But we know it will probably come. Any once it does, it maybe too late to start shopping."

"In Chicago, we must ask NATO heads of state and government for a smart commitment: real and tangible support for more multinational approaches," Rasmussen said.  (photo: Getty)

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