NATO agrees to withdraw from Libya in 10 days

BRUSSELS .- The NATO plans to end its bombing campaign in Libya later this month, leaving alone the new authorities of the war-torn country to ensure security after the death of Moammar Gadhafi and the end of his regime. The alliance took a preliminary decision to end the seven-month campaign on 31 October, and next week will take the formal decision, said Friday its secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen after a meeting of its governing body, the Council North Atlantic.

Diplomats said the NATO air patrols are ready to continue flying over Libya in the next 10 days as a precautionary measure to ensure the stability of the new government. Within this time limit will be reduced gradually if no new outbreaks of violence.

The board took into account the wishes of the new government of Libya and the United Nations, which instructed the Organization of the North Atlantic Treaty to carry out its operations at first.

Victory in this war represents a strong impetus for the alliance, which is mired in the 10-year war in Afghanistan, the mission in Kosovo for 12 years and the seemingly endless operation to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia.

Rasmussen praised the success of the operation, which began on March 19 with a series of US-led attack, designed to suppress the formidable air defenses Gaddafi networks including missiles and radar. The former rebels have killed the former Libyan dictator on Thursday, and authorities had said they expected the air operation concluded soon.

"It shows that freedom is the strongest in the world," said Fogh Rasmussen.

The official also said that NATO has no intention of leaving a residual force in or near Libya.

"We expect to close the operation," he said.

He also said that depends on the new government to decide whether to launch an investigation into the mists circumstances surrounding the death of former dictator.

"With respect to Gaddafi, expect the new authorities in Libya are completely up to the basic principles of rule of law and respect for human rights, including full transparency."