Spanish parliament votes to extend Libya operations
April 19th, 2011 - 11:27 pm ICT by IANSMadrid, April 19 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The majority of Spanish parliamentary parties voted Tuesday to extend the country’s participation in NATO’s Libya operation by two months.
Spanish Defence Minister Carme Chacon said the international coalition had to continue its “legitimate intervention in the region” to resolve the conflict.
The conflict cannot be resolved by purely military methods and required “political and diplomatic efforts” to secure a lasting peace in the region, she said.
Spanish troops will not become involved in air strikes or a ground operation in the North African country, the minister said.
Chacon put the cost of Spain’s three-month participation in the operation at 43 million euros.
Heavy fighting has continued in the port of Misurata, the only rebel-held western city, which Gaddafi’s forces have been pounding for days. Government troops are also continuing to attack the key rebel stronghold of Ajdabiya.
An international meeting in Rome next month will discuss the Libya crisis amid calls for NATO to increase pressure on Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
- 25 Libyan tanks destroyed Sunday: NATO commander - Apr 10, 2011
- Clashes continue as Gaddafi vows to recapture Misurata (Lead) - Mar 18, 2011
- US stopped 'Gaddafi's deadly advance': Obama (Lead) - Mar 29, 2011
- Libyan army may allow tribes to fight rebels in Misrata - Apr 23, 2011
- Rebels legitimate representatives of Libyan people: Germany - Jun 13, 2011
- Libyan rebels ask for weapons, says Italy - Apr 13, 2011
- Coalition forces 'strike Gaddafi's home town' : Libyan state TV - Mar 27, 2011
- Libyan rebels seek financial help from Spain - Jul 22, 2011
- Gaddafi's forces recapture Misurata - Mar 17, 2011
- Gaddafi's troops routed in Libyan oil port battle - Mar 03, 2011
- International group agrees on aid to Libya rebels - May 05, 2011
- Russia-NATO Council to discuss conflict settlement in Libya - Mar 29, 2011
- Libyans form human chain against airstrikes by allied forces at Gaddafi's compound - Mar 20, 2011
- Libyan families flee Ajdabiya town as Gaddafi regime renew attacks - Apr 18, 2011
- NATO allies divided over pace of attacks in Libya - Apr 13, 2011
Tags: air strikes, carme chacon, conflict, defence minister, diplomatic efforts, government troops, international coalition, lasting peace, libya, libyan leader muammar, libyan leader muammar gaddafi, military methods, muammar gaddafi, parliament, parliament votes, parliamentary parties, rebel stronghold, ria novosti, spanish parliament, spanish troops