NATO says it can conclude its mission in Libya in 3 months.
Last Wednesday, NATO allies extended their air campaign in Libya by another 90 days.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) can fulfill its mission in Libya within the next three months, the commander of the alliance's military operation in the country, General Charles Bouchard, said on Thursday.
On Wednesday, NATO allies extended the air campaign in Libya for another 90 days. "I am quite confident that we can complete the mission within that timeframe," Bouchard said.
Forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi are maintaining resistance in some areas of the country. On Wednesday, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that the alliance's fighter jets would continue operating as long as civilians were threatened, but the mission would be under constant review and could be terminated "at any time."
"We are determined to continue our mission for as long as necessary, but ready to end it as soon as possible," Rasmussen said, requesting an extension of the mission, which has already lasted six months. Any decision to end the airstrikes will be made in coordination with the United Nations and the new authorities of the North African country, according to the NATO Secretary General. The current 90-day mandate would expire on September 27 if it had not been extended.