Category: NATOSource

Allies may give NATO operational control, but not political control

By Scott Wilson and and Karen DeYoung, the Washington Post

From Scott Wilson and and Karen DeYoung, the Washington Post:  The United States appeared to be closer Tuesday to turning over command of the military operation in Libya, with key NATO countries tentatively agreeing that the alliance would take the leading role.

Allied leaders comment on NATO Impasse

By the Telegraph

Day 5 of NATO’s Political Impasse

By Steven Erlanger, the New York Times

From Steven Erlanger, the New York Times:  As the military operation continued over Libya on Monday, there was some confusion about which country or organization is actually leading it, and for how long. France, Britain and the United States are in charge of their own operations, which each have different code names.  The participants are […]

Donilon: NATO to take command in days, not weeks

By the White House

From the White House: National Security Advisor Tom Donilon discusses U.S. transfer of command to NATO.  MR. DONILON : [W]e would then transfer, as the President has said, in a matter of days, not weeks, over to coalition partners using the NATO machinery the responsibility for the ongoing exercise of those activities. And the United States at […]

Quarrel between France and Turkey blocking NATO agreement

By Hurriyet

Italy threatens to take back its bases unless NATO is in command

By AGI

From AGI:  [Foreign] Minister Franco Frattini has said Italy will take back its bases if NATO does not assume command of operations in Libya.

Norwegian jets en route to no-fly zone deployment

By DPA

From DPA:  Norway dispatched six F-16 fighter jets Monday as part of its contribution to the no-fly zone operation over Libya. An air force spokesman said the planes could possibly operate from bases on the southern Greek island of Crete or the Italian island of Sardinia. In addition to the jets, a Hercules transport plane […]

Turkey Blocks NATO Mission in Libya

By Spiegel

Turkey criticises France’s role in Libya intervention

By Reuters

Putin: anti-Libya force reminiscent of Crusades

By the AP

From the AP:  Russia’s prime minister is strongly criticizing the U.N. resolution allowing international use of force in Libya, saying it reminds him of the Crusades.