NATO announces operation to enforce Libya arms embargo
NATO has announced it is to launch an operation to enforce the United Nations arms embargo against Libya.
A NATO helicopter lands on a frigate during NATO operations in the Mediterranean (stock image) [Picture: Commander Alex Shtaltovniy, Ukrainian Navy/NATO 2008]
In a statement, the NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said that all the NATO allies are committed to meeting their responsibilities under the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 to stop the intolerable violence against Libyan civilians.
Mr Rasmussen said:
Our top operational commander, Admiral Stavridis, is activating NATO ships and aircraft in the central Mediterranean.
They will conduct operations to monitor, report and, if needed, interdict vessels suspected of carrying illegal arms or mercenaries. This will be done in close co-ordination with commercial shipping and regional organisations. And we will welcome contributions from NATO partners to our common endeavour.
At the same time, NATO has completed plans to help enforce the no-fly zone - to bring our contribution, if needed, in a clearly defined manner, to the broad international effort to protect the people of Libya from the violence of the Gaddafi regime.