By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow : The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation will continue its military campaign in Libya until at least September, NATO Secretary General Andres Fogh Rasmussen said Wednesday.
“We are determined to continue our operation to protect the people of Libya. We will sustain our efforts to fulfil the UN mandate. We will keep up the pressure to see it through,” Rasmussen said, adding that the allies would extend the presence in Libya for another 90 days.
Fourteen of the 28 NATO member-countries are taking part in operation ‘Unified Protector’ in Libya, which includes air strikes, a no-fly zone and naval enforcement of an arms embargo in response to attacks on civilians.
“Our decision also sends a clear message to the people of Libya: NATO, our partners, the whole international community, stand with you. We stand united to make sure that you can shape your own future,” Rasmussen said.
Russia abstained in the Security Council vote authorising the NATO-led military operation to protect civilians in the war-ravaged North African country, and has strongly criticised the alliance’s handling of the operation.
Western media reports claim the US has suggested the Libyan rebels open a representative office in Washington.