NATO approves increasing military presence in central Med

Following NATO Defence Ministers’ meetings held on Thursday that discussed the ongoing situation in Libya and what steps NATO should take it this regard, Rasmussen said that the council had reached two major decisions.

The first is to increase military maritime presence in the Central Mediterranean to improve NATO situational awareness, “which is vital in the current circumstances, and will contribute to our surveillance and monitoring capability, including with regards to arms embargo.”

The second decision reached, he said, also directed NATO military to “urgently develop detailed planning with regard to humanitarian assistance and, provided the approval of a further resolution, undertake more active measures to enforce the arms embargo.”

“We considered also initial options regarding a possible no-fly zone in case NATO were to receive a clear UN mandate to do so,” he said.

Ministers agreed that further planning will be required, he added. “Our message today is that NATO is vigilant, and ready to act.”

Throughout the press statement, Rasmussen maintained that NATO is very aware of the sensitivities of the region, and agreed that in all its efforts, “NATO must show its added value to existing efforts. It must have a clear legal mandate and strong regional support.”

“We will also maintain intensive contact with humanitarian organisation and other key actions in the region. “We are not losing sight of the wider changes on the way in the region is developing.”

While also stressing that “time is of the essence,” Rasmussen also said however that it is still relatively early in that it is unclear which direction Libya, and the ongoing conflict playing out within its borders, would take.

“What is clear is that the international community is united in condemning the outrageous systematic violence against the Libyan people.” He emphasised that NATO’s leading concern is, and must be, the plight of civilian population

Referring also to Egypt and Tunisia, he said that it is also clear that “any assistance should come following specific requests. “We want to strengthen longstanding partnerships.”

Asked by the BBC about statements made by the French government about being ready to launch military action against Libyan forces, Rasmussen refused to comment on what he described as “unconfirmed rumours from anonymous sources.”

He added that today’s resolution “does not include the utilisation of armed forces.” He also confirmed that direct air strikes on Libya were not discussed.

Rasmussen also rejected the idea that NATO’s message is not strong.  “We still need a clear legal basis, a UN mandate, but I take notes of the fact that the current UN security resolution does not authorise the use of armed force.”

“Having said that,” he added, “I can’t imagine that the UN and international community standing idly by if the Gaddafi continues attacking his people systematically – but I have to say we do not look for intervention in Libya and we will need a clear legal basis before taking any action.”

Rasmussen also refused to comment whether the situation in Libya had reached civil war proportions. “What we can see is that it is an armed upheaval – there is fighting – there is also the risk of division within the country.” He added that the country becoming a “failed state, which “in the future that could become a breeding ground for extremism and terrorism>”

“That is why we are strongly urging the government of Libya to cease all violence and allow a peaceful transition of democracy into the country,” he said.