NATO boosts surveillance flights over Libya

WASHINGTON – A senior U.S. official says NATO has decided to boost flights of AWACs surveillance planes over Libya as the alliance debates the utility of imposing a "no-fly zone" over the country.

U.S. Ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder says allies agreed Monday to increase AWACs flights from 10 to 24 hours a day. The expansion is part of contingency planning for possible military intervention in Libya beyond humanitarian efforts.

The decision came as the alliance’s governing board met to discuss what unique capabilities NATO could bring to Libya.

He said other ideas being considered are retasking NATO vessels in the Mediterranean Sea along with nearby air assets to deal with humanitarian aid and establishing a command and control structure to co-ordinate relief efforts.