BRUSSELS, Oct 6: Nato ministers said on Thursday that the bombing campaign in Libya, now in its seventh month, will continue until armed resistance to the new pro-western regime ceases.

US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta — speaking at a meeting of Nato defence ministers dedicated mainly to Afghanistan and Libya — said a decision to cease bombing will depend on events in the coastal town of Sirte where forces loyal to Muammar Qadhafi remain in control, whether Qadhafi’s forces continue to threaten civilians, and whether the former strongman retains a command role.

Panetta said the ministers agreed that the decision to cease operations would also depend on the ability of the anti-Qadhafi forces to confront armed resistance.

French Defence Minister Gerard Longuet also underlined that the airstrikes will not cease until all remaining pockets of resistance are suppressed and the new government asks for them to end.

“Sirte has an extremely symbolic value, but it’s not all of Libya,” Longuet said as he arrived for the second and final day of the conference. “There is pro-Qadhafi resistance in Bani Walid and dispersed resistance in the south of the country.”

Other officials echoed their words, leaving open the possibility that the bombing could be extended for a further 3-month period if pro-Qadhafi forces continue fighting.

Nato has carried out more than 9,300 airstrikes since the campaign started in March. The military alliance has been criticised for allegedly overstepping UN Security Council resolution that created a no-fly zone and authorised the protection of civilians caught up in the fighting.

Military commanders have said they believe the military mission is largely complete, and could begin wrapping up soon. But the public message from Panetta and other leaders suggests the campaign could continue for some time, as long as the fighting continues.

Nato said that despite calls for it to intervene in Syria, it has no intention of launching a similar operation there. Almost 3,000 people have been killed in protests against President Bashar Assad’s regime in the past six months.

“We took on responsibility in Libya because there was a clear UN mandate and because we received clear support from countries in the region,” Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said. “None of these conditions are fulfilled in regards to Syria, and these conditions are essential.”

On Afghanistan, ministers expressed confidence that the plan to gradually turn over responsibility to Afghan army and police remains on track. The 140,000-strong Nato-led force plans to cease combat operations in 2014.

“The Afghan forces are increasingly showing that they are capable of taking on the insurgents,” Fogh Rasmussen said.—AP

BRUSSELS, Oct 6: Nato ministers said on Thursday that the bombing campaign in Libya, now in its seventh month, will continue until armed resistance to the new pro-western regime ceases. US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta — speaking at a meeting of Nato defence ministers dedicated mainly to Afghanistan and Libya — said a decision to cease bombing will depend on events in the coastal town of Sirte where forces loyal to Muammar Qadhafi remain in control, whether Qadhafi’s forces continue to threaten civilians, and whether the former strongman retains a command role. Panetta said the ministers agreed that the decision to cease operations would also depend on the ability of the anti-Qadhafi forces to confront armed resistance. French Defence Minister Gerard Longuet also underlined that the airstrikes will not cease until all remaining pockets of resistance are suppressed and the new government asks for them to end. “Sirte has an extremely symbolic value, but it’s not all of Libya,” Longuet said as he arrived for the second and final day of the conference. “There is pro-Qadhafi resistance in Bani Walid and dispersed resistance in the south of the country.” Other officials echoed their words, leaving open the possibility that the bombing could be extended for a further 3-month period if pro-Qadhafi forces continue fighting. Nato has carried out more than 9,300 airstrikes since the campaign started in March. The military alliance has been criticised for allegedly overstepping UN Security Council resolution that created a no-fly zone and authorised the protection of civilians caught up in the fighting. Military commanders have said they believe the military mission is largely complete, and could begin wrapping up soon. But the public message from Panetta and other leaders suggests the campaign could continue for some time, as long as the fighting continues. Nato said that despite calls for it to intervene in Syria, it has no intention of launching a similar operation there. Almost 3,000 people have been killed in protests against President Bashar Assad’s regime in the past six months. “We took on responsibility in Libya because there was a clear UN mandate and because we received clear support from countries in the region,” Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said. “None of these conditions are fulfilled in regards to Syria, and these conditions are essential.” On Afghanistan, ministers expressed confidence that the plan to gradually turn over responsibility to Afghan army and police remains on track. The 140,000-strong Nato-led force plans to cease combat operations in 2014. “The Afghan forces are increasingly showing that they are capable of taking on the insurgents,” Fogh Rasmussen said.—AP