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France: NATO will not have political role in Libya operation

Other News Materials 23 March 2011 16:35 (UTC +04:00)

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe on Wednesday said NATO's role in the allied operation in Libya would be operational, but not political, dpa reported.

The military alliance would not be politically steering the operation to impose a no-fly zone over Libya, he said.

A committee of foreign ministers from countries that have signed up to the operation and from the Arab League would assume that role, he said.

"NATO will intervene as a planning and operational driving tool," he said.

Until now the United States has commanded the US-French-British- led operation from one of its bases in Germany

The US, Britain, Italy and other members of the coalition now want to devolve the command to NATO.

France initially resisted NATO's involvement, saying a NATO operation would generate hostility in the Arab world.

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