Some Guidelines Met for Ending Libya Mission, Official Says

Three of the four guidelines laid out this week by Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta for ending Operation Unified Protector in Libya have been met, a senior defense official said October 7, 2011. <br /> <br />At Panetta&#39;s final news conference



By Cheryl Pellerin American Forces Press Service ABOARD A MILITARY AIRCRAFT Oct 07, 2011
Three of the four guidelines laid out this week by Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta for ending Operation Unified Protector in Libya have been met, a senior defense official said October 7, 2011.

At Panetta's final news conference of the October 5-6 NATO defense ministerial conference in Brussels, the secretary laid out four conditions for ending the mission in Libya.

He said militia members loyal to former Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi and fighting in Sirte would have to be defeated, Qadhafi must have no nationwide command and control capability, the opposing forces must be able to keep the nation and its citizens secure, and the Qadhafi regime must not be able to attack civilians.

The issues were discussed during private meetings among Panetta and NATO commanders and officials in Italy today, the senior defense official said, and produced the following indications:

-- Recent heavy fighting in the city of Sirte, Qadhafi's birthplace, has given way to the likely defeat of pro-Qadhafi forces;

-- There is no evidence that Qadhafi exercises any command and control over militia members loyal to him; and

-- The fledgling democracy does not yet have a national security force, but "there is a sense that the National Transitional Council can exercise control of the country."

Progress must be made in developing their capabilities, he added, and this could take the form of training by security forces from the international community.

"They do need to take additional steps to make sure that in the long term they can cover the country and maintain security," the defense official said.

The successful end of NATO's Operation Unified Protector is "very close," he added, possibly days or weeks away.
More in Media Room
Morocco Purchases AH-64 Apache Helicopters
Morocco marked its initial purchase of AH-64E Apache helicopters in a ceremony at Sale Air Base near Rabat, March 5, 2025.
Read more
Military Flight Supports Partner Training, Projects Global Power
U.S. Africa Command, supported by U.S. Strategic Command, conducted a unique training opportunity with Libyan military tactical air controllers to promote the process of reunification of Libyan military and security institutions Feb. 26 in the vicinity of Sirte, Libya.
Read more
Federal Government of Somalia engages al Shabaab with support from U.S. Forces
At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted collective self-defense airstrikes against al Shabaab on March 1, 2025.
Read more
More in Media Room
Morocco Purchases AH-64 Apache Helicopters
Morocco marked its initial purchase of AH-64E Apache helicopters in a ceremony at Sale Air Base near Rabat, March 5, 2025.
Read more
Military Flight Supports Partner Training, Projects Global Power
U.S. Africa Command, supported by U.S. Strategic Command, conducted a unique training opportunity with Libyan military tactical air controllers to promote the process of reunification of Libyan military and security institutions Feb. 26 in the vicinity of Sirte, Libya.
Read more
Federal Government of Somalia engages al Shabaab with support from U.S. Forces
At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted collective self-defense airstrikes against al Shabaab on March 1, 2025.
Read more
More in Media Room
Morocco Purchases AH-64 Apache Helicopters
Morocco marked its initial purchase of AH-64E Apache helicopters in a ceremony at Sale Air Base near Rabat, March 5, 2025.
Read more
Military Flight Supports Partner Training, Projects Global Power
U.S. Africa Command, supported by U.S. Strategic Command, conducted a unique training opportunity with Libyan military tactical air controllers to promote the process of reunification of Libyan military and security institutions Feb. 26 in the vicinity of Sirte, Libya.
Read more
Federal Government of Somalia engages al Shabaab with support from U.S. Forces
At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted collective self-defense airstrikes against al Shabaab on March 1, 2025.
Read more