AlQa'dah 29, 1432, Oct 27, 2011, SPA -- France's defense minister said on Thursday that he doesn't see a need to extend NATO's mission in Libya, now that a new government is in charge, AP reported. Gerard Longuet also said that the international community should still help the new Libyan leadership but with a new mandate, focusing on political instead of military support. NATO last week announced preliminary plans to wind down the bombing campaign Oct. 31, but then on Wednesday unexpectedly postponed a definitive decision amid continuing consultations with the U.N. and the country's interim government. Longuet said on France-Info radio Thursday, "I don't exactly understand the need" to keep the operation going. He said the mission is continuing surveillance but is already "being dismantled rather quickly."
