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The Secretary General praised the successful implementation of the UN mandate. "From the very beginning, our mission has been to protect the Libyan people", he said, "we have managed to prevent a massacre and countless lives have been saved".
"Today, the future of Libya is in the hands of the Libyan people", Mr. Rasmussen said, insisting that this future would have to rest on reconciliation, unity and rule of law, not on repression, division and injustice. While the United Nations will hold the leading role in supporting the Libyan people and the National transitional Council throughout that process, NATO stands ready to play a supporting role, if and when so requested.
Prior to the Conference, Mr. Rasmussen visited the base of the “Force Océanique Stratégique” on l’Aîle Longue (Finistère) together with the Minister of Defence, Mr. Gérard Longuet. On 2 September, he will meet with French President Sarkozy, as well as with French Foreign Alain Juppé to discuss a wide range of NATO-related issues, including Libya and Afghanistan.
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