Overcoming deep differences among its 28-member nations, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) has agreed to take the lead role in enforcing the ‘no-fly’ zone over Libya as per the mandate of the UN Security Council resolution.

“NATO has now decided to enforce the no-fly zone over Libya. We are taking action as part of the broad international effort to protect the civilians against the attacks by the Gaddafi regime. We will cooperate closely with our partners in the region and we welcome their contributions,” said the NATO Secretary-General, Mr Andres Fogh Rasmussen.

He said all NATO allies are committed to fulfil their commitments under the UN resolution, and that’s why “we have decided to assume responsibility for the no-fly zone’’.

However, no decision has been made whether NATO should take on broader responsibility, Mr Rasmussen said in an interview to CNN soon after an announcement in this regard was made at the NATO headquarters in Brussels.

“What we have decided today is to take responsibility for the no-fly zone with the aim to protect civilians by closing the air space for all flights, except aid flights, all with the aim to protect civilians. Of course, we can act in self defence. We have not decided yet whether we will take on the broader responsibility,” he said.

“This means that right at this moment you will have two operations. We have taken on responsibility for the no-fly zone, while the coalition still continues its activities. We are considering whether we should take on that broader responsibility. However, that decision has not been made yet,’’ he added.

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