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Turkey backs NATO command of Libya operations
Command of military operations in Libya will be transferred from the US to NATO within a day or two, Ahmet Davutoglu, Turkey's foreign minister, has announced.
Turkey had helped to implement a naval blockade of Libya, but had earlier expressed concern about the alliance taking over operational command of the UN-backed no-fly zone from the US.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday, Davutoglu said: "Compromise has been reached in principle in a very short time. "The operation will be handed over to NATO completely."
Davutoglu said this would happen as soon as possible, within one or two days.
He said agreement had been reached in a teleconference with his counterparts from the US, France and Britain.
NATO will take command of the international coalition's military operations in Libya on Monday or Tuesday, a diplomat told the AFP news agency on Thursday.
"NATO countries are in agreement to launch final planning enabling it to take over the command from the coalition Monday or Tuesday," said the diplomat, who asked not to be named.
The US had been keen to hand over operational control to the military alliance as soon as possible.
Davutoglu's announcement followed a fouth days of talks over the issue at a NATO summit in Brussels.
All 28 members of NATO needed to back any agreement and Turkey had previously rejected backing any plan unless it was given assurances that the operation would be limited to protecting civilians, enforcing an arms embargo and a no-fly zone, and providing humanitarian aid.
US admiral James Stavridis, NATO's overall commander, was in Turkey on Thursday to convince leaders there to back the agreement on the alliance's role.
Turkey backs NATO command of Libya operations - Africa - Al Jazeera English
Command of military operations in Libya will be transferred from the US to NATO within a day or two, Ahmet Davutoglu, Turkey's foreign minister, has announced.
Turkey had helped to implement a naval blockade of Libya, but had earlier expressed concern about the alliance taking over operational command of the UN-backed no-fly zone from the US.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday, Davutoglu said: "Compromise has been reached in principle in a very short time. "The operation will be handed over to NATO completely."
Davutoglu said this would happen as soon as possible, within one or two days.
He said agreement had been reached in a teleconference with his counterparts from the US, France and Britain.
NATO will take command of the international coalition's military operations in Libya on Monday or Tuesday, a diplomat told the AFP news agency on Thursday.
"NATO countries are in agreement to launch final planning enabling it to take over the command from the coalition Monday or Tuesday," said the diplomat, who asked not to be named.
The US had been keen to hand over operational control to the military alliance as soon as possible.
Davutoglu's announcement followed a fouth days of talks over the issue at a NATO summit in Brussels.
All 28 members of NATO needed to back any agreement and Turkey had previously rejected backing any plan unless it was given assurances that the operation would be limited to protecting civilians, enforcing an arms embargo and a no-fly zone, and providing humanitarian aid.
US admiral James Stavridis, NATO's overall commander, was in Turkey on Thursday to convince leaders there to back the agreement on the alliance's role.
Turkey backs NATO command of Libya operations - Africa - Al Jazeera English
