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Wednesday, 31 August, 2011, 2:43 ( 0:43 GMT )
Editorial/OP-ED




Despite Fall of Al Qathafi Regime NATO Mission Not Finished Yet
30/08/2011 18:56:00
Many Libyans were overjoyed at the fall of the dictator Al Qathafi who ruled Libya for 42 years, which followed that of longtime rulers in Egypt and Tunisia earlier this year, but have been chilled by evidence of mass killings in Tripoli as his forces fought losing battles with rebels.

But some believe that despite being on the run, he is still able to command and control his remaining troops.

One of these believers is Colonel Roland Lavoie, military spokesman of the NATO air mission in Libya. He told a news briefing in Brussels: "He (Al Qathafi) is displaying a capability to exercise some level of command and control."

He added: "The pro-Al Qathafi troops that we see are not in total disarray, they are retreating in an orderly fashion, conceding ground and going to the second best position that they could hold to continue their warfare."

Earlier, Oana Lungescu, the NATO Spokesperson said that the NATO mission in Libya is important. “It has been effective, and it’s still necessary - in order to protect civilians. As long as threats remain, there’s still a job to be done. And we will get that job done.,” she said.

Ms Lungescu added: “The mission will continue, in full compliance with the United Nations mandate 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.

“In the last week, we’ve seen vivid reminders of where the threats are coming from. We’ve all seen the grim pictures from Tripoli and the allegations of mass graves, executed prisoners, and a hospital full of dead patients. We’ve seen more reports of how the regime has been using mosques, schools and marketplaces as shields for its weapons.

“We must make sure that those threats are gone, and they are gone for good -- until civilians and cities in Libya are safe. So that the Libyan people can build a new future, based on democracy, reconciliation, and the rule of law.”

She said that 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, and we have already seen that it is doing so.

“NATO could support upon request. Last week as you know, the North Atlantic Council agreed that any possible future supporting role for NATO must satisfy three criteria: a demonstrable need, a sound legal basis and wide regional support.

"But I must stress that no decision has been taken and the focus for now remains very much on getting the job done under the current mandate of the United Nations Security Council.”

Ms Lungesco also announced that NATO's Secretary General Would travel to Paris Thursday, to take part in a senior level meeting on Libya. She explained that this will be an opportunity to further coordinate international support for the people of Libya, as they finally begin to hold their future in their own hands.

Meanwhile, Colonel Lavoie told reporters that NATO's military mission in Libya was still necessary and would continue as long as Al Qathafi's forces threatened civilians.

"Despite the fall of the Al Qathafi regime and the gradual return of security ... NATO's mission is not finished yet," he said.

The Western alliance earlier said its warplanes had fired a new barrage of bombs against Al Qathafi forces holed up in Sirte, 360 kilometres east of Tripoli.

It said it destroyed 22 vehicles mounted with weapons, four radars, three command and control nodes, one anti-aircraft missile system and one surface-to-air missile system in the town's vicinity on Monday.
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