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NATO Libya mission to continue as long as necessary: Rasmussen

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Berlin, Apr 14, IRNA -- NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen vowed Thursday to keep up military pressure on the regime of Libyan dictator Moammar Qadhafi 'as long as necessary.'

Talking at a press briefing on the sidelines of a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Berlin, Rasmussen said this pressure would be exerted as long as necessary until Qadhafi forces end their attacks on civilians, withdraw back to the military barracks and allow unhindered humanitarian access.

Rasmussen made clear the western military alliance would 'not stand by idle' as long as the Qadhafi regime attacks civilians.

'We will do what it takes to fulfill the mission, not only in words but deeds,' he added.

Branding Qadhafi's regime 'discredited', Rasmussen said 28 NATO foreigners ministers have endorsed a Libya Contact Group statement which calls for Qadhafi to leave power.

The NATO boss reiterated the Libyan problem could not be resolved by military means alone.

Rasmussen's remarks come in the wake of deep differences among NATO member states about stepping up military attacks on Libya.

Germany insists on diplomatic means to resolve the Libyan conflict, in contrast to France and Britain which have called on NATO to increase its military pressure on Qaddafi's forces.

'We agree about the goal, there are differences about the path, said French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe after meeting his German counterpart Guido Westerwelle earlier in the day.