US commander sees end to Libya mission

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

The military mission in Libya is largely complete, and NATO’s involvement could begin to wrap up as soon as this coming week after allied leaders meet in Brussels, according to the top U.S. commander for Africa.

Army Gen. Carter Ham, head of U.S. Africa Command, told The Associated Press that American military leaders are expected to give NATO ministers their assessment of the situation during meetings late in the week.

NATO could decide to end the mission even though ousted leader Moammar Gadhafi is still at large and his forces are still entrenched in strongholds such as Sirte and Bani Walid.

NATO’s decision-making body, the North Atlantic Council, agreed Sept. 21 to extend the mission over the oil-rich North African nation for an additional 90 days, but officials have said the decision would be reviewed periodically.

Ham said that the National Transitional Council and its forces should be in “reasonable control” of population centers before the end of the NATO mission, dubbed Unified Protector. He said they are close to that now.

When NATO makes its decision, Ham said he believes there would be a seamless transition of control over the air and maritime operations to U.S. Africa Command. At least initially, some of the military surveillance coverage would remain in place.

U.S. intelligence and surveillance assets, such as drones, likely will stay in the region to keep watch over weapons caches, to prevent the proliferation of weapons from Libya.