Libya: Where do Nato countries stand?

Just 15 of Nato's 28 member states, plus three partner countries - Qatar, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates - are contributing in some way to the military operation in Libya. So, what is each country's position? Explore the graphic and table below to find out more.

Nato's divisions

1 = more force, 5 = less force
  1. 1

    Would escalate military action

    • UK
    • France
  2. 2

    Conducting airstrikes

    • US
    • Canada
    • Belgium
    • Norway
    • Denmark
  3. 3

    Reconnaissance missions only

    • Italy
    • Spain
    • Netherlands
  4. 4

    Offering some military support

    • Albania
    • Bulgaria
    • Greece
    • Romania
    • Turkey
  5. 5

    No military support

    • Croatia
    • Czech Rep
    • Estonia
    • Germany
    • Hungary
    • Iceland
    • Latvia
    • Lithuania
    • Luxembourg
    • Poland
    • Portugal
    • Slovakia
    • Slovenia
Source: Nato, news agencies, BBC Analysis and Research

Nato positions in detail

Country Military involvement Diplomatic position

Source: Nato, news agencies, BBC Analysis and Research

France

Yes, conducting air strikes and sending military advisors to assist the rebels

Wants bombing campaign to intensify and has urged other countries to commit more aircraft. Insists Col Gaddafi must step down

UK

Yes, conducting air strikes and sending military advisors to assist the rebels

As above

US

Yes, has conducted air strikes

Insists Col Gaddafi must step down. Providing 'non-lethal' supplies to the rebels

Canada

Yes, conducting air strikes

Backs the mission, and reports claim the country is considering sending more planes

Belgium

Yes, conducting air strikes

Backs the mission but has expressed opposition to arming the rebels

Norway

Yes, conducting air strikes

Rejects claim Nato not doing enough. Wants the focus to shift to finding a political solution

Denmark

Yes, conducting air strikes

Has expressed opposition to arming rebels

Italy

Yes, involved in reconnaissance missions and sending military advisors to assist the rebels

Supports the no-fly zone but says it will not order its aircraft in Libya to open fire

Spain

Yes, involved in reconnaissance missions only

Supports the no-fly zone, but rejects involvement in ground attacks

Netherlands

Yes, involved in reconnaissance missions only

Another supporter of the no-fly zone, but the country says it will not change its military commitments unless a new UN resolution is approved

Albania

Yes, recently opened ports and airports for Nato use

"Fully supports" current operations

Bulgaria

Yes, has a Navy frigate involved

It says humanitarian intervention and working towards a ceasefire are the priorities

Greece

Yes, jets, a vessel and military bases in use

Stresses the need for political solution of the crisis

Romania

Yes, one vessel involved

Happy to support Nato's lead. Believes Col Gaddafi should relinquish power

Croatia

None

Supports mission to protect civilians as defined by UN resolution

Czech Republic

None

Supports mission to protect civilians as defined by UN resolution

Estonia

None

Supports mission to protect civilians as defined by UN resolution

Hungary

None

Supports mission to protect civilians as defined by UN resolution

Iceland

None

Supports mission to protect civilians as defined by UN resolution

Latvia

None

Supports mission to protect civilians as defined by UN resolution

Lithuania

None

Supports mission to protect civilians as defined by UN resolution

Luxembourg

None

Supports mission to protect civilians as defined by UN resolution

Poland

None

Supports mission to protect civilians as defined by UN resolution

Portugal

None

Supports mission to protect civilians as defined by UN resolution

Slovakia

None

Supports mission to protect civilians as defined by UN resolution

Slovenia

None

Supports mission to protect civilians as defined by UN resolution

Germany

None

Abstained from voting on the UN resolution, but says it supports the aims of the mission. Rejects offensive action

Turkey

Yes, navy ships and a submarine involved

Supports mission to protect civilians as defined by UN resolution. Rejects offensive action

More Africa stories

RSS

Features & Analysis

Elsewhere on BBC News

  • Classroom, Gwesan, South KoreaNew chapter

    Why South Korean students are being told to scrap their textbooks and go digital

Programmes

  • Ali Soufan - Former FBI Agent and InterrogatorHARDtalk Watch

    US President Bush was 'not told the truth' about waterboarding, says a former FBI agent

bbc.co.uk navigation

BBC © 2011 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.