Germany has pulled out of NATO operations in the Mediterranean on Tuesday, the defence ministry said, following the military alliance's involvement in the Libya conflict.
A ministry spokesman said two frigates and two other ships with a crew of 550 would be revert to German command, dpa reported.
Some 60 to 70 German troops participating in NATO-operated Awacs surveillance operations in the Mediterranean would be withdrawn, the ministry said.
NATO had earlier begun a naval operation to enforce the UN- Security Council authorized arms embargo against Libya.