Nato to end Libya campaign on 31 October

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Source: AP

Nato will officially end its seven-month operation in Libya on 31 October, its governing North Atlantic Council has said.

Russia meanwhile, is pushing for the UN security council to lift the no-fly zone over Libya soon. Moscow has previously accused Nato of abusing the UN resolution authorising military actions by seeking to bring about regime change rather than just protecting civilians. The Russian ambassador, Vitaly Churkin, said on Friday: "It's time to wrap it up, including the no-fly-zone."

The Nato secretary-general Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said late on Friday that the 31 October end would be confirmed formally next week. Diplomats said Nato air patrols would continue over Libya for the next nine days as a precautionary measure to ensure the stability of the new regime – gradually reducing assuming there were no further outbreaks of violence.

The council took into account the wishes of Libya's new government and of the United Nations, under whose mandate Nato carried out its operations.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/oct/22/nato-end-libya-31-october