Control of Libya operation Will be taken by NATO

In Libya, where the international coalition enforcing a no-fly zone has hit more targets in the north African country.

Nato is close to taking control of military operations in Libya, ...

The US says coalition attacks on Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's forces have weakened his ability to exercise command over his ground forces and the United States is in the process of transferring control of the Libyan mission to NATO.

The Pentagon confirmed on Friday that the coalition had fired 16 more Tomahawk cruise missiles over the past 24 hours.

Bill Gortney, director of the US Joint Staff said the targets are more "opportune" rather than predesignated. He added that the coalition struck more targets of Libyan government ground forces outside the rebel-held town Ajdabiyah, and more command and control targets around Tripoli.

The US is in the process of transferring control of the mission to the coalition. He said NATO has already taken over the arms embargo at sea and no-fly zone patrol in the air.

The US will continue to oversee protection of Libya's civilian population.

Canadian Lieutenant-General Charles Bouchard will lead the alliance's military campaign in Libya.

NATO says it has planned for a three-month no-fly operation over Libya.

Oana Lungescu, NATO Spokeswoman, said, "At the same time, NATO is actively considering whether to take a broader role under the UN Security Council resolution. Without prejudging the deliberations we would expect a decision to take over all operations in the next few days. At this stage our mission is to close Libya's air space to all flights except aid flights. NATO pilots and controllers will do everything they can to deny the Gadhafi regime any use of air power, and they will do so with care and precision to avoid harming the people of Libya."

NATO ambassadors will meet on Sunday to discuss plans for broadening the alliance's mandate to take full command of military operations.

Officials say it is not clear if a decision will be made before a meeting in London on Tuesday to set up a high-level steering group, including Arab states. The group will provide political guidance for the international response to the Libya crisis.

NATO officials say if all 28 member states agree to expand the role of the alliance, this would give it political control of operational decisions. However, they also say it would take into account the guidance of the body that emerges from London.