http://www.smh.com.au/world/fatigue-threat-to-libya-mission-20110629-1gr0o.html
Fatigue threat to Libya mission
Laurent Thomet, Brussels
June 30, 2011 - 12:00AM
Rescue workers at a residential compound which, according to the Libyan government, had been damaged by NATO air strikes. Photo: Reuters
AFTER three months of air strikes in Libya, the NATO alliance is showing signs of fatigue and discord, with no end in sight to the conflict.
The bombing has lasted longer than some anticipated when NATO took command on March 31, replacing a Western coalition that had launched the first salvos two weeks earlier.
As the NATO mission marks three months today, rifts have emerged with Italy calling last week for a suspension of hostilities. Some allies with small air forces are feeling the strains of a steady pace of sorties.
The operation's commander, Lieutenant-General Charles Bouchard, refuses to scale the bombings down, saying NATO has made significant progress.
"I do not believe that any scaling-down of operation is appropriate nor required at this time. In fact, we stay the course," General Bouchard said.
The Canadian general said NATO would keep up the pressure until Colonel Muammar Gaddafi stopped threatening civilians, returned his forces to barracks and allowed humanitarian aid to flow freely.
The military organisation has extended its mandate for another 90 days, committing it until at least late September.
Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini opened a rift when he called for a suspension of hostilities and chided NATO over the accidental killing of civilians. Outgoing US Defence Secretary Robert Gates delivered his own bombshell earlier when he scolded allies for over-reliance on the US military, saying they were even running out of munitions.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy hit back, dismissing that criticism as the "bitterness" of a future retiree.
The US, France and Britain have pressed other allies to step up contributions. Mr Gates singled out Spain, Turkey and the Netherlands as nations that should take part in the bombings.
AFP
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/world/fatigue-threat-to-libya-mission-20110629-1gr0o.html#ixzz1QgfQmyG3
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