Gaddafi supporter at rally in Tripoli, Wednesday; photo - EPA/Mohamed Messara
US secretary of defence Robert Gates told NATO defence ministers in Brussels on Wednesday that Washington wanted to see a greater participation by alliance members in the action in Libya, which began in March to “protect civilians” from the regime in Tripoli and is currently being led by France and the UK.
Poland, though a NATO member since 1997, said it would not participate militarily in the mission though it would be sending humanitarian aid to rebel held districts and help with a democratic transition in the country after the fall of Colonel Gaddafi.
The US request for Poland and others to become more involved was supported by the UK, whose defence minister Liam Fox told reporters that Robert Gates’ message at a closed door session of 28 NATO defence ministers had been “very blunt”.
“I made the point that too many [allies] are doing too little,” Minister Fox told the Wall Street Journal.
The call was supported by NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
"I have requested such broadened support either by new contributions or increased contributions or more flexible use of assets provided for the operation," he said.
Poland‘s defence minister, Bogdan Klich made no mention of the US‘s request for wider participation at a press conference yesterday, however.
“We talked about the future, about what do to after the removal of Gaddafi to ensure a smooth transition to a stable state with democratic mechanisms,” Minister Klich said, adding that the ministers had agreed to extend the mission in Libya for a further 90 days from 27 June, lasting into September this year.
“NATO does not intend to deploy a peacekeeping force in Libya after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi," Bogdan Klich added, saying the alliance would only be interested in assisting the ‘stabilisation’ of the North African nation after decades of totalitarianism.
German defence minister Christian Schmidt said that Berlin’s position had not changed and they would not be adding to the military presence over Libya.
Bulgaria's government announced in late May that due to financial restraints they would be forced to withdraw a Bulgarian ship currently involved in the military action.
As NATO pledged to step up the bombings Col. Gaddafi made his first appearance on state TV for three weeks yesterday, saying defiantly that, “We are stronger than their missiles, stronger than their planes”. (pg)
source: PAP/TVP/AP