NATO's bombing campaign in Libya, now in its seventh month, will continue despite the collapse of Moammar Gadhafi's regime, French Defense Minister Gerard Longuet stated today.
He is attending a conference of NATO defense ministers, AP reported.
According to Longuet's words, the air strikes will not cease until all remaining pockets of resistance are suppressed and the new government asks for them to end.
Discussions have focused on Libya and Afghanistan, where the alliance is in the process of extricating itself from a 10-year war against Taliban insurgents.
Protests against the Gaddafi government began in mid-February and spiraled into violent confrontation, leading to thousands of casualties. In March, the UN Security Council introduced a no-fly zone over Libya and started delivering pinpoint air strikes on Gaddafi's bases.
Gaddafi was deposed in late August, when rebel troops with support of the NATO aviation, seized control over the capital Tripoli.