Coalition patrols have been unable to detect heavy weaponry belonging to Muammar Gaddafi’s army, French Defense Minister Gerard Longuet said on Thursday.
“Our reconnaissance planes no longer see any movement by Gaddafi’s units, consisting of heavy weapons, tanks, ships and aircraft,” Longuet said, adding that they may be at their bases or hidden elsewhere.
He also said that supplying arms to Libyan rebels was “not on the agenda” because such a move would not be “compatible” with the U.N. resolution on enforcing a no-fly zone over the North African state.
The UN Security Council resolution 1973, adopted on March 17, imposed a no-fly zone over Libya and authorized measures to protect civilians from Gaddafi’s forces, but stopped short of authorizing ground operations in the North African country.
A total of 13 countries are carrying out a military operation against Libya in line with the resolution. On Sunday, NATO began taking command of the mission from the United States.
PARIS, March 31 (RIA Novosti)