US & allies Mission Libya turns NATO

NATO prepared to assume leadership from the US of the military campaign against Gaddafi's forces while the allied effort won a rare military commitment in the Arab world when the United Arab Emirates said it would send warplanes to join patrols with Western allies.

NATO agreed that it would not only take over command and control of the no-fly zone, but also of the effort to protect civilians through aggressive coalition airstrikes on Colonel Gaddafi's troops on the ground, the officials said.But Nato said its no-fly zone operation could last three months, and France cautioned the conflict would not end soon.Military action against pro-Gaddafi forces entered its seventh day on Friday with explosions around Tripoli overnight and French and British reports of strikes on ground forces to break a battlefield stalemate and help rebels take the strategic town of Ajdebiyah.

In Washington, a US military spokeswoman said the coalition fired 16 Tomahawk cruise missiles and flew 153 air sorties in the past 24 hours targeting Gaddafi's artillery, mechanized forces and command and control infrastructure.

There will be a meeting of coalition foreign ministers on Tuesday in London, as the French and British wanted, the officials said.That meeting and consequent meetings will deal with the larger political campaign, including sanctions and other measures designed to put more pressure on Colonel Gaddafi to quit.

US president Barack Obama who in his message today said," The role of American forces in this mission is limited. After providing unique capabilities at the beginning, we are now handing over control of the no-fly zone to our NATO allies and partners, including Arab partners like Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.The United States has also joined with the international community to deliver urgent humanitarian assistance. We're offering support to the Libyan opposition and have frozen tens of billions of dollars of Qaddafi's assets."

It will also have representation from the United Nations, the Arab League and the African Union.But that meeting of what the British are calling "the contact group" will not be running the military side of the operation, the officials said.

Early on Friday, the UAE said it would commit 12 warplanes to join patrols enforcing the no-fly zone authorized a week ago by the UN Security Council, the official Emirates News Agency reported.It quoted the foreign minister, Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan, as saying the deployment would begin "in the coming days."A sticking point in the negotiations was what military officials call the "no-drive zone," the bombing of Colonel Gaddafi's ground forces, tanks and artillery outside Libyan cities.France wanted to have clearer leadership role of the campaign while Turkey was concerned about its turning into a larger operation involving ground troops.Many countries, like Italy and Norway , however, said they would participate only if Nato ran the entire military operation.

Barack Obama touches " Mission in Libya"  2011-03-26 15:57:15 - Nksagar-Sagar Media Inc:New Delhi India :
A great example is US president Barack Obama who in his message to me and to many more from the white house writes, "I'm writing today with an update on the situation in Libya, including the actions we've taken with allies and partners to protect the Libyan people from the brutality of Moammar Qaddafi.Sending our brave men and women in uniform into harm's way is not a decision I make lightly. But when someone like Qaddafi threatens a bloodbath that could destabilize an entire region, it is in our national interest to act. In fact, it’s our responsibility.Our mission in Libya is clear and focused -- and we are succeeding.

Along with our allies

partners, we are enforcing the mandate of the United Nations Security Council. Working with other countries, we have put in place a no-fly zone and other measures that will help prevent further violence and brutality. Qaddafi's air defenses have been taken out, and his forces are no longer advancing across Libya.As a consequence of our quick action, the lives of countless innocent civilians have been saved, and a humanitarian catastrophe has been avoided.

The role of American forces in this mission is limited. After providing unique capabilities at the beginning, we are now handing over control of the no-fly zone to our NATO allies and partners, including Arab partners like Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.The United States has also joined with the international community to deliver urgent humanitarian assistance. We're offering support to the Libyan opposition and have frozen tens of billions of dollars of Qaddafi's assets.

Our message to Qaddafi is clear: attacks against innocent civilians must end, his forces must be pulled back, humanitarian aid must reach Libyans in need, and those responsible for the violence in Libya must be held accountable.The progress we've made over the past seven days demonstrates how the international community should work, with many nations, not just the United States, bearing the responsibility and cost of upholding international law.Every American can be proud of the service of our men and women in uniform who have once again stood up for our interests and ideals.And as we move forward, I will continue to keep each of you fully informed on our progress."

Mine Comments for such gracious leader who appears a blend of global community with traditional values of world intact is treat to watch and his confidence with words of ease to ease all is treat for global community living in and spreading in all continents of the globe:
Great Leadership is not by doing great deeds only but communicating and explains the point of view to get to their point of view is certainly creates better intellect and wisdom prevails for the betterment of humanity and prosperity and peace prevails:

India regrets ongoing air-strikes in Libya PTI reports _India today regretted the air strikes by US-led coalition and called upon all parties to abjure use of force and resolve their differences through peaceful means.

"India views with grave concern the continuing violence, strife and deteriorating humanitarian situation in Libya. It regrets the air strikes that are taking place. The measures adopted should mitigate and not exacerbate an already difficult situation for the people of the country," Ministry of External Affairs said.

"Spoke to Ambassador (M) Manimekalai in Tripoli a short while ago. She is cool and calm. Harrowing Saturday night tho' with jets screaming above, she says (Ambassador)," Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao tweeted.India hoped that the air strikes would not harm innocent civilians, foreign nationals and diplomatic missions and their personnel, who are still in Libya

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