北约指挥官警告利比亚不要伤害平民NATO Commander Warns Libya on Harming Civilians
北约接管了利比亚空中行动的全部指挥权后，北约指挥官星期四警告说，利比亚政府军继续袭击平民的举动“实属不智”。
加拿大中将伯察德说，北约星期四在军事行动中部署了100多架飞机和12艘护卫舰，战机实施了90多架次的行动。北约星期四早上从美国手中接管了全部指挥权。国际部队3月19日开始施行禁飞区行动后，美国一直担任领导角色。伯察德说，这次移交“天衣无缝”。
在利比亚行动的指挥权移交之际，利比亚反政府武装在东部重新集结，此前，他们在忠于利比亚领导人卡扎菲军队的袭击中撤退。利比亚外交部长库萨星期三晚上向英国投诚，振奋了反政府武装的士气。
利比亚政府发言人穆萨.易卜拉欣淡化变节一事。他在的黎波里说，政府军将继续打击反政府武装。星期四布雷加镇的战斗更加激烈，亲卡扎菲的军队继续炮击。
As NATO assumed full command of air operations over Libya, its commander warned on Thursday that Libyan government forces would be "ill-advised" to continue attacks on civilians.
Canadian Lt. Gen. Charles Bouchard said NATO deployed more than 100 aircraft and a dozen frigates in its military operation which performed more than 90 sorties on Thursday. NATO assumed full command early Thursday, taking over from the U.S., which had played a leading role since international forces began enforcing a no-fly zone on March 19. Bouchard said the transition has been "seamless."
The command change comes as Libyan rebels are regrouping on the eastern front after retreating from forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. The rebel cause was buoyed when Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa defected to Britain late on Wednesday.
Libyan government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim downplayed the defection, saying in Tripoli that government forces will continue to fight the rebels. Pro-Gadhafi forces continued shelling as battles raged around the town of Brega on Thursday.