BRUSSELS, Belgium - NATO's defense ministers have decided to send more alliance-member ships to the central Mediterranean, which will help keep an eye on the situation, NATO's Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told reporters here March 10.
Rasmussen said the assets would help monitor - not enforce - compliance with the arms embargo against Libya established by United Nations Resolution 1970.
For enforcement, "NATO would require a new U.N. Security Council resolution," he said.
He would not reveal any operational details about the assets.
He denied that there had been any discussion of air strikes on Libya and refused to comment on whether France was proposing direct military action against Libya's airfields, dismissing it as an "unconfirmed rumor from anonymous sources."
Rasmussen did say that the idea of imposing a no-fly zone had been discussed but that, for any NATO operation, there would need to be a demonstrable need; a clear legal basis, probably in the form of U.N. mandate; and firm regional support.
"I can't imagine the international community and the U.N. standing idly by if Gaddafi continues attacking his people systematically," he said.
He also expressed concern that, in Libya, there was "a risk of seeing a failed state that could be a breeding ground for extremism and terrorism."
"We urge the Libyan government to stop the violence and allow a peaceful transition to democracy," he added.
Rasmussen said the assets would help monitor - not enforce - compliance with the arms embargo against Libya established by United Nations Resolution 1970.
For enforcement, "NATO would require a new U.N. Security Council resolution," he said.
He would not reveal any operational details about the assets.
He denied that there had been any discussion of air strikes on Libya and refused to comment on whether France was proposing direct military action against Libya's airfields, dismissing it as an "unconfirmed rumor from anonymous sources."
Rasmussen did say that the idea of imposing a no-fly zone had been discussed but that, for any NATO operation, there would need to be a demonstrable need; a clear legal basis, probably in the form of U.N. mandate; and firm regional support.
"I can't imagine the international community and the U.N. standing idly by if Gaddafi continues attacking his people systematically," he said.
He also expressed concern that, in Libya, there was "a risk of seeing a failed state that could be a breeding ground for extremism and terrorism."
"We urge the Libyan government to stop the violence and allow a peaceful transition to democracy," he added.
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