NATO is not ready to put an end to combat operations in Libya, even though the war is winding down, U.S. Defense Secretary, Leon Panetta, said yesterday, pointing to the long series of battles around the city of Surt, the birthplace of Muammar Gaddafi.
The two-day meeting, NATO defense ministers agree on is that the major threat to the remnants of forces loyal to Qadhafi, overthrew the Libyan leader, and that civilians are in danger, even if the hope and expectation is that military operations can not end soon, senior NATO diplomat said.
Panetta said NATO commanders will continue to analyze the security situation in Libya and recommend when the operations would end the political leaders who have the last word. "It is very important that we take the right decisions,''Panetta said at a news conference.
He noted the guidelines to end the involvement of NATO, which was authorized by the Security Council of the UN to protect civilians Libyans.
At the same time, Gaddafi yesterday urged the Libyans to the streets and start a campaign of civil disobedience against the new leader - the first word of the leader on the run in just over two weeks.
Gaddafi said that the National Transitional Council, which took command after rebel forces pulled Tripoli at the end of August, there is no justification, because it had not been appointed or nominated by a Libyan.
Gaddafi made the call in an audio recording of poor quality, and it was not possible to confirm his identity, but it was broadcast on Syrian television, based Al Rai, which was the voice of resistance .
The revolutionary forces, aided by air strikes of NATO, took control of most of the North African nation and forced the head and two of his son in hiding.
Panetta said the fighting in Sirte, Gaddafi is still principal, must end, and an assessment should be made as to whether organized armed units loyal to Qadhafi still exist and, if so, whether they represent a threat to civilians.
Panetta also said that NATO must determine whether the National Transitional Council has the ability to protect civilians.
"There is no willingness to end the mission, but also the concern that we do not finish soon, and a source of inspiration for the pro-Qaddafi,''said another NATO diplomat.
A diplomat quoted the third Canadian Defence Minister Peter MacKay, who said: ". We should not get to put out the fire''
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