Ankara: Turkey`s military says US Admiral James Stavridis, NATO`s top military commander, is holding talks in Ankara, which has been seen as holding up agreement on a NATO command structure for a no-fly zone over Libya.
Turkey has warned that the rules of engagement in Libya must be restricted to protecting civilians, enforcing the arms embargo and no-fly zone, and the provision of humanitarian aid. This would exclude any further air strikes against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi`s ground forces.
Stavridis` visit to the Turkish general staff on Thursday also comes hours ahead of a vote in Parliament to approve participation of Navy vessels in a NATO mission to enforce an arms embargo on Libya. He also discussed operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya with Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu late Wednesday.
Bureau Report
