Nato 'won't stand idly by' on Libya
Nato and the international community cannot “stand idly by” if Libyan government forces continue attacking civilians, the alliance’s top official says.
“If these systematic attacks against the Libyan people continue, it may amount to crimes against humanity. Then, many people around the world would be tempted to do something to prevent this massacre,” Nato’s Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said.
He noted that the latest Security Council resolution did not foresee armed action and reiterated that Nato had no intention of intervening in Libya.
But as a defence alliance, Nato’s job was to “conduct prudent planning for any eventuality.”
“If (Muammar) Gaddafi and his army continue to attack the Libyan population indiscriminately, I can’t imagine that the UN and international community will stand idly by,” he told reporters.
Fogh Rasmussen was speaking in Brussels ahead of a two-day conference of Nato’s 28 defence ministers on Thursday and Friday. He said the crisis in Libya will top the meeting’s agenda.
He played down suggestions that Nato should unilaterally impose a no-fly zone over Libya, saying it was a very complex task that would require a wide range of military assets.
“We have asked our military to conduct all necessary planning so that we stand ready at short notice,” Fogh Rasmussen said.
Although Libya has over 400 fighter-bombers and helicopter gunships, analysts say the number of airworthy aircraft is much smaller. The Libyan military has been in disarray for a long time, and the air force in particular is said to suffer from low morale, and poor maintenance and training standards.
In contrast, Nato’s air assets in the region are extensive and robust. Experts say the several hundred fighter jets available in a string of bases on Nato’s southern flank and on the US carriers could quickly establish air dominance over Libya.
