NATO formally decides to end Libya mission on Oct. 31
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Xinhua, October 28, 2011
NATO formally decided Friday to cease its operations in Libya on Oct. 31, exactly seven months after the military alliance assumed full control of the campaign.
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen announced that NATO's decision-making body, the North Atlantic Council, formalized a preliminary decision reached one week ago to end the mission next Monday.
The decision came one day after the UN Security Council voted unanimously to pass a resolution that will terminate on Oct. 31 the no-fly zone and civilian protection mandates adopted earlier this year for Libya.
"Until then, together with our partners, we will continue to monitor the situation. And if needed, we will continue to respond to threats to civilians," Rasmussen said in a statement after NATO ambassadors' meeting.
The NATO chief hailed the Libya mission as "one of the most successful in NATO history", which helped Libyan rebels topple the Gaddafi regime, captured and killed the former Libyan leader.
"We launched this complex operation faster than ever before. We conducted it effectively, flexibly and precisely with many partners from the region and beyond. And we are concluding it in a considered and controlled manner, because our military job is done," he said.
The alliance was ready to provide assistance in building a new Libya, which should be "based on reconciliation, human rights and the rule of law," Rasmussen added.
"NATO stands ready to help, if needed and requested. To help Libyans reform the security and defence institutions that all democracies need to remain free and safe," he said.
NATO made a preliminary decision last Friday to end the mission on Oct. 31, one day after former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was killed in his hometown of Sirte, which was taken by National Transitional Council (NTC) fighters.
NATO aircraft have conducted over 26,000 air sorties, including over 9,600 strike missions.
